At 5 a.m. Wednesday morning, Marry Forney and Lucille Slater, both of Ames, received alarming phone calls. They were being moved from their homes in the Stonehaven Apartments, just off Grand Avenue south of Lincoln Way, to shelters in anticipation of the rising floodwater.

The water had come within a block of their building, and residents’ cars were in danger of becoming trapped.

Lettie Jean Holmes also was moved, but was thankful to have somewhere to go. She said the residents had not been told when they could go back, but the time depended on if electricity was available.

The residents were bused to the Red Cross shelter at the First Christian Church on Clark Avenue, then moved to St. Cecilia Church on Hoover Avenue because of the heat.

Forney said the workers were very helpful and took good care of the residents on the way to the shelters.

The shelters had ample room as of noon on Wednesday. Anyone in need of assistance, a place to stay or who would like to volunteer to help in the flood efforts can contact the Lincoln Way Chapter of the American Red Cross at 515-232-5104, or stop by 426 Fifth Street in Ames.