Iowa Floods

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laundryshark

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 27, 2006
Messages
1,224
Location
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
They are especially massive disasters in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas, along with numerous smaller communities. As for me? I live on higher ground, nowhere near any flood prone spots. KCRG is doing constant live broadcasts, including guided boat tours of the flooded downtown Cedar Rapids location. Visit KCRG.com.--Laundry Shark

http://www.kcrg.com/
 
Back in the late 80's, I was a Night Manager at the Iowa Memorial Union at the U of I in Iowa City. It is *so* close to the river, and the basement is full of mechanical and electrical equipment, so I can't even begin to imagine what it will take just to bring that one building back up to operations, let alone the rest of the region.

Thankfully, both Mercy Hospital and the UI Hospital (the region's largest hospital and trauma center) is located on high ground.

This is a massive, unprecedented event. I feel awful for the people of eastern Iowa, whether they are flooded out or not. At least it doesn't seem like there has been much, if any, loss of life.
 
I am very glad to hear you are doing okay down there - I've seen and heard horror stories already from the Cedar Rapids region. I can't believe the 3rd Ave bridge is just GONE. Stay safe,

Ben
 
I am glad you are safe as well. Do you have provisions for fresh water, food, etc.?

Also, can you suggest any charitable local organizations to which members can choose to support directly?
 
Definitely Worse than 1993

The Cedar River has crested several feet higher than in 1993. The extent of the floods are beyond even what they term the "500 year flood plain." The local or regional chapters of the Red Cross and the Salvation Army are always good sources to support. As for me? Not lacking in basic essentials. Had to transfer my drug prescriptions from the East Side Wal-Mart to the West Side store, which is nowhere near the flood zone. I normally did not use this store due to the lack of access via public transportation. However, the city buses are out of service indefinitely, as their vehicles are now used for transporting emergency personnel, and others that are assisting with the post flood cleanup effort and rescue *wherever there might still be dry ground.* As you might have guessed, much of this work is being done by boat in the downtown and nearby residential areas. To find any local and regional charitable entities of interest, visit some of our media Websites, such as KCRG.com, KWWL.com, KGAN.com, and Gazetteonline.com. Since the only way for me to reach the West Side Wal-Mart is through a ride, I have arranged to do just that after church tomorrow morning. In fact, the gentleman who has offered has himself become a flood victim. No other persons from our church have stepped up to the plate. Hopefully, his home won't have too much water damage for recovery. By the way, since our church is most likely heavily into helping flood victims, you are more than welcome to support it through your thoughts, prayers, and material contributions if you wish. Many, many thanks and God bless all of you for your deepest concerns for our health, provision, safety, and well-being in this region. Please see link below.--Laundry Shark

http://www.crvineyard.org/
 
I know that unless you are right in the center of all of this that there is no way one can even imagine what you have all been through. I am just thankful that you are all safe. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
 
Has Des Moines Been Affected?

I will be in West Des Moines from July 7 - 11th on business and I've already booked my flight. My contact there says that the downtown area has seen some flooding, but that West Des Moines is dry.

I hope everyone is okay.

Bryan
 
The flood and tornado damage in this are is just unbelieveable.

Now the Mississippi is causing problems as water is moving south. They are trying to move sand bags south as the water reaches those areas as well.

My heart goes out to anyone in the affected areas, once again if it were not for volunteers, churches and other community groups these folks would not have help. The goverment has been slow to respond from a state level as well as the federal level. The church that I belong to has purchased a whole semi load of bleach to be sent down to the Cedar Rapids area.

I have plenty of vacation time, so if a work team is formed, I plan on taking my part in the clean up efforts.

Morgan
 
Bryan - you shouldn't have any issues if your business is out in West Des Moines. The picture below is actually taken inside an office building for Alliant Industries, located downtown Cedar Rapids. The photo just scratches the surface as to what horror a flood can cause on the inside - where it counts. I'm certain that some business downtown Des Moines probably have similar issues, and the rest of the affected towns along the Iowa/Cedar/Des Moines/Mississippi River.

This stuff is just nasty guys -

Ben

6-19-2008-12-36-26--swestoyz.jpg
 
Concerning Ben's photo--I always thought that a broken fill hose caused a mess in a cellar, but that's nothing compared to this. I remember one customer had a hose break, and it drenched her old recipe books from her restaurant. She was drying pages one at a time. How long does it take to get rid of the dampness and musty smell from a cellar?
Fred
 
It takes a loooong time...

Indeed it does. Fred - you are so right, a small break of a fresh water line or a water softener line is tiny in comparison to the physical damage the river has done. Just imagine all the petroleum, farm chemicals, fertilizers, and toxic materials that are in the water of this photo. These admin offices on the first floor of the Alliant Energy building downtown Cedar Rapids look like EVERY basement affected by this (thousands of homes by now in all the states affected). From first hand experience of helping with the clean up - it is a horrible situation and will take a considerable amount of time (= $$$) to bring back to the way it was before June 10th, 2008.

Ben

6-19-2008-14-08-19--swestoyz.jpg
 
Last photo. Walking down the hallway - on the way to the water cooler.

EVERYTHING in this photo will need to be disposed of. Cabinets, carpet, plants, posters of mission statements, partitions for cubicles, computers, Cathy comics, you name it - everything. I cannot smell normally but with the little that I do have left - NASTY.

I am counting my blessings this did not impact myself or my family first hand.

I like these photos because normally we see how it has affected our basements - which is not any better or worse. But to affect a possible office or cubicle that we work and sit at everyday - think about how this also affects commerce and jobs of hundreds of people.

Ben

6-19-2008-14-23-53--swestoyz.jpg
 
Ben those pictures seem almost unreal. I am just thankful that you and your family were safe but my heart goes out to those that were not so lucky.
 

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