Water is the big concern in Cedar Rapids, Iowa--getting rid of the water that has flooded the city, while holding on to what little drinking water is left.

Floodwaters have finally started to recede after forcing 24,000 people to flee. But officials warn that if the people who stayed behind don't cut back on their use of drinking water, the supply will run out within three to four days.

Some 1,300 blocks of Cedar Rapids are submerged. Early estimates put property damage at 736 million dollars.

Meanwhile, a levee breach in the state capital of Des Moines has flooded a neighborhood of more than 200 homes, a high school and about three dozen businesses.

In Iowa City, more than 200 homes were evacuated because of the flooded Iowa River.

At least three deaths in Iowa have been attributed to the storms and subsequent flooding, and 12 more have died in two recent tornadoes.