Evacuation orders for Des Moines residents

Police Chief Judy Bradshaw says the area has about 220 homes and 20 to 30 businesses.  She said it's a voluntary evacuation order and that the city is taking the step merely as a precaution in case the levee in the area begins to leak or if the river should top the levee.  She said many people in the area already have left.

The affected area borders are Sheridan on the north, Guthrie Avenue on the south, 2nd Avenue on the west and Saylor Road on the east...view map of the area

Bradshaw said police are going door-to-door, leaving brochures, and calling people in the area.  "If there have to be evacuations, we don't want them to be emergency evacuations," Bradshaw said.