Since it seems that Ames is becoming a floodplain, the city of Ames has provided input on strategies to prevent damage in the future. This has been going on since Oct. 3, 2012, and although they met on April 10, 2013, no solid decisions have been made yet.

In the mean time, Ames has established self-serve sandbag stations in case of flooding. During the flood of 2010, volunteers helped fill and hand out sandbags.

There are two sandbagging stations. One is located in the Iowa State University Towers parking lot off of Mortensen Road and South Dayton Place and the other one is located on SE 16th Street.

Whether or not any changes are made before the next big flood, certain precautions must be made in order to stay safe.

Before a flood, be sure to construct barriers, seal your basement walls and always listen to the radio or television for weather updates.

If a flood is imminent, make sure you have necessities like food, water and medications. Evacuate your home and turn off your main switches or valves if you are ordered to do so and bring outdoor furniture inside.

During a flood, do not walk or drive in moving water. Check the density of the ground with a long stick if you are forced to walk through stagnant water and stay away from electrical equipment while in the water.

After a flood, listen to the radio or TV for information regarding the safety of the drinking water and/or electronic devices and service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits and leaching systems as soon as possible. Avoid flood waters saturated with gas, raw sewage and other chemicals, and disinfect anything that has gotten wet during the flood.

Ames has had eight floods since 1965. Although that may not seem like a lot, the latest floods in 2007, 2008 and 2010 have become increasingly severe and closer together. The Ames Flood Mitigation Study says the amount of rainfall in Iowa has increased during the last 20 years.