NATION IN BRIEF : NATIONWIDE : Storms Send Rivers Past Flood Stages

Flood waters surged toward record levels in Iowa, closing highways and soaking farms, as heavy rains triggered flash flooding from Nebraska to Georgia. Authorities said storms sent the Nishnabotna River in southwestern Iowa more than 4 feet above flood stage at the town of Randolph and more than 10 feet above flood stage in Hamburg. Interstate 80 and U.S. 6 outside of Lincoln, Neb., were flooded, and raging waters swept several motorists off roads and forced others to swim from their vehicles on flooded streets, officials said. Up to seven inches of rain fell on Savannah, Ga., during the night, flooding streets and underpasses.