Here’s How to Report a Pothole in the Cedar Valley [Links]

Combine about two weeks of suffering through sub-zero temperatures and several recent snowfalls...streets, especially in residential neighborhoods, were starting to get packed down with snow and ice. It was an Iowa winter at its worst. Now, Iowans are enjoying highs in the 30's and 40's. And I must say, it feels great! However, as with most things, there's good news and bad news.

The good is news is with the warmer temps, it give us a glimmer of hope that spring is, in fact, on the way. But before we get to that wonderful time of the year, another season has begun. I like to call it Iowa's 5th season, the dreaded "pothole season". Recently, I was driving down a city street and I hit a "chuck hole" (as I like to call them) so massive, I thought the suspension was going to drop off my vehicle. It literally, rattled the teeth in my head. Truthfully, I don't know how my tires and everything else connected survived it.

So you're asking, what website do I go to or who do I call to report a nasty pothole in my neighborhood? If you live in a small town around the area, I would start with a call to your local public works or city street department. The city of Waterloo's website says that " the city has full time crews dedicated to patching potholes when the department is not facing emergency situations, i.e., snow emergency, rising water etc." They go on to say, "We strive to repair potholes as soon as we are aware of their existence".

To be fair, they have hundreds of miles of roads to cover, so here's how you make them aware of the giant abyss that's haunting you on Waterloo's roadways, click here or call (319) 291-4267. If you're driving in Cedar Falls and come across a giant chasm the size of the Grand Canyon, click here or call (319) 273-8629.

We've all been there, the unavoidable pothole. It happens, even to the best drivers. When you're driving, just keep a mental note of where the really bad potholes are and try avoid them. If you're like me, you'll "space off" and hit the same "chuck hole" for the 3rd time this week. Then go ahead and cuss a blue steak that would even embarrass a pirate. It'll make you feel better.