The Des Moines River had risen to 15.19 feet at 1 p.m. on Monday and is now anticipated to crest in Fort Dodge at 19.3 feet by midday Wednesday, coming into Lehigh 12 hours later.

To protect homes and businesses from flood waters, residents around Webster County shoveled hundreds of thousands of pounds of sand into bags Monday in 94-degree heat at four separate sites, including at Amigos, Hydro-Electric Park, Avenue B and M Street, and at the Otho Community Center.

“Our residents are amazing,” said Niki Conrad, chairwoman of the Webster County Board of Supervisors. “So many people stepped up today and helped to fill and deliver sandbags to help their neighbors. We had other communities come in and help with efforts today. I just can’t say enough about the people that volunteered their time and effort in the heat today.”

A majority of the sand provided for sandbags was used on Monday. If residents are elderly or disabled and need help with receiving and placing sandbags, they’re asked to call Webster County Emergency Management Coordinator Dylan Hagen at 515-573-1403.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Korina Jensen, of Manson, helps fill sandbags on Monday at Amigos in Fort Dodge.

Residents are again reminded to stay away from the river, including swimming, kayaking, and boating. On Monday, multiple agencies reported seeing people, including children, in the dangerous flood waters.

“We need our teams to focus on preparation and prevention, and not rescue — whether that’s on the waterways or at sandbagging sites,” said Hagen.

Rising flood waters have already closed multiple roads throughout Webster County. Residents in high alert areas are reminded that they need to prepare their homes and potentially evacuate for multiple days.

“Residents are strongly encouraged to take their medications, medical supplies, and oxygen with them when they evacuate,” said Hagen.

MidAmerican Energy informed residents in many high alert areas that gas and electricity may be shut off due to flooding. Residents in these areas were alerted Monday by text message as well as with door tags.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
LaShonda Small, of Fort Dodge, helps fill sandbags on Monday at Amigos in Fort Dodge.

With the potential for evacuations and displacement, Iowa Central Community College has opened its campus dorms to residents in need.

“Iowa Central is committed to supporting our community and emergency management efforts as best we can,” said Jesse Ulrich, president of Iowa Central Community College. “Offering our campus living apartments to those impacted by flood waters is one way we can be of immediate assistance.”

Those needing temporary shelter due to displacement from flooding should contact the Webster County Health Department at 515-573-4107 for information on housing.

Residents with medical needs should also contact Webster County Health Department for assistance, including cooling supplies. Residents are also reminded to use 911 only for emergency purposes.

UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge does not foresee its operation or infrastructure being impacted, but is preparing for the potential to see additional patients or to step in with supplies if needed.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Taryn Davis, 13, left, of Fort Dodge, and Jaxen McNeil, 12, help fill sand bags on Monday at Amigos in Fort Dodge.

“We have an emergency preparedness team that has evaluated our risks and is planning for possible needs to ensure patient care isn’t impacted,” said Leah Glasgo, president of UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge. “We are fortunate to be a part of a larger system that we can pull resources from if needed, as well as share resources when other areas of Iowa are in need.”

High Alert Areas in Webster County (as of 5 p.m. Monday)

• Riverside Drive from U.S. Highway 169 to Humboldt County — ROAD CLOSED

• Breen Addition

• Madison Avenue near 170th Street north of D14 — ROAD CLOSED

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Katie Loseke, of Fort Dodge Public Health, helps fill sandbags on Monday at Hydro-Electric Ppark in Fort Dodge

• Riverdale Drive — ROAD CLOSED

• Scenic Drive

• First Street Northwest, Fort Dodge — PENDING CLOSURE

• Second Street Northwest, Fort Dodge — PENDING CLOSURE

• Riverside Street — PENDING CLOSURE

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Volunteers filled hundreds of sandbags Monday at Amigos in Fort Dodge.

• Phinney Park, Fort Dodge

• East Riverside Drive, Fort Dodge — ROAD CLOSED

• Avenue B, Fort Dodge — ROAD CLOSED

• South River Road — ROAD CLOSED

• Riverside Trail — ROAD CLOSED

• Dolliver Memorial State Park — ROAD CLOSED

• River Street, Lehigh

• East Main Street, Lehigh

• Pleasant Street, Lehigh

• Deception Hollow/McGuire Bend Road — ROAD CLOSED

• Xavier Avenue — ROAD CLOSED

• River Road — ROAD CLOSED

• P73/Samson Ave, Lehigh — ROAD CLOSED

• Meriwether Drive — ROAD CLOSED

• Avenue B — ROAD CLOSED

• Avenue C — ROAD CLOSED

• Skillet Creek Road — ROAD CLOSED

• Skillet Creek Avenue — ROAD CLOSED

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
anelle Derrig, 16, of Fort Dodge, helps fill sand bags on Monday at Hydro-Electric Park in Fort Dodge.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Flood waters creep toward the homes on Avenue B Monday in Fort Dodge.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
The Des Moines River surges under the Kenyon Road Bridge and through a construction site Monday.