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Page last updated at 20:43 GMT, Saturday, 14 June 2008 21:43 UK

In pictures: Iowa floods

A flooded neighbourhood in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on 14 June 2008

Officials have declared most of Iowa a disaster zone after it was swamped by severe flooding following days of heavy rain.

Police tape on a front door shows the residents have evacuated due to the threat of flooding in Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday 14 June 2008

At least 24,000 people have been evacuated from nearly 4,000 homes in the Hawkeye State.

Flood waters from the Cedar River surround buildings in the south-eastern edge of Cedar Rapids.

The disaster was triggered by storms blamed for at least nine deaths in the US Midwest this week.

Flood waters surround train cars, top, and semi-trailers in Cedar Rapids.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa's second-largest city, was one of the worst hit, with 438 city blocks inundated.

Des Moines police officers guard a road closure as water flows throw a breach in a levee on Saturday 14 June 2008

State capital Des Moines dealt with its first major flooding as water poured out of the Des Moines river when a levee gave way.

A view of central Cedar Rapids, Iowa

In the last week Iowa has had at least 8in (20cm) of rain and more downpours are forecast.

Volunteers helping people get out of the area

Some residents have lost their homes altogether.

Kham Boungnavong (L) helps a stranded resident climb into his boat from her home

This woman was one of many who had to be rescued.

Charles Wittke rows down a flooded street in front of his home in Cedar Rapids

With the city's streets transformed into rivers, residents took their boats out.

Chinto Roma walks down the street in driving rain after taking belongings from his flooded home

Waist-deep, this man tries to salvage a few belongings.




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