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Midwest Flooding Worse than 1993, Iowa Hit Hardest (Midwest flood update 1)
UNIVERSITY THREATENED: While several swollen rivers across the Midwest peaked and began receding, others have yet to reach their projected height. The Iowa River flooded half of the University of Iowa campus and displaced 5,000 residents in nearby Iowa City—and the river isn't expected to reach its peak until today or tomorrow.
Meanwhile, more than 24,000 people left their homes in nearby Cedar Rapids where flooding caused more than $736 million in damage. National Guard and volunteers diligently sandbagged to save towns across five states in the Midwest. Iowa's governor declared 83 of the state's 99 counties disaster areas.
Midwest Flooding: Quick Facts
| States Affected: | Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Wisconsin |
| Red Cross Shelters: | 37 in Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin for evacuees; more than 115,000 meals/snacks served |
| Relocating: | several towns that flood historically, such as Gary Mills, Wis., plan to move to higher ground once waters recede |
Iowa Flooding: Quick Facts
| # Counties: | 83 of 99 counties declared disaster areas by governor |
| Worst Hit: | Cedar Rapids |
| Rainfall: | 8 inches since June 6 |
| How: | storms past three weeks raised flow in nine rivers at or above highest levels on record |
| Damage: | roads and bridges washed out, people evacuated, homes and businesses lost, half of University of Iowa campus under water |
| # Killed: | 3 |
Just a few weeks ago tornadoes hammered the same areas of Iowa that now face flooding, killing 12 Iowans.
Cedar Rapids Hit Hardest by Flood
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa. Last week's flooding...
- submerged 1,300 city blocks beneath water
- forced 24,000 people to evacuate their homes
- damaged an estimated $736 million in property
- flooded 9 square miles
- polluted drinking water
As of yesterday, the city had its municipal water system back up, running at about half its usual capacity.
The Cedar River flows through Cedar Rapids, and started ebbing over the weekend:
| Date | River Height |
|---|---|
| Friday, June 13: | 31.1 feet |
| Sunday, June 15: | 24.6 feet |
"As the river recedes we're beginning to see the incredible destruction that is left behind," said Cedar Rapids spokesman Dave Koch. (Los Angeles Times, 6/15/08)
It could be another three days before crews can pump water over levees, and as much as a week before the river returns to a less-than-flood level.
Iowa River Floods University of Iowa Campus
About 30 miles south of Cedar Rapids, the Iowa River flows through Iowa City. The river continues to rise, and residents fear it hasn't reached peak height yet:
Flood Level: 25 feet considered flood stage
Record Level: 28 feet (1993)
Current Level: 31.5 feet
Projected Level: 33 or 34 feet
Projected Crest: today or tomorrow river expected to reach highest
The river runs through the University of Iowa campus, and has flooded more than 20 buildings including...
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About 1 million square feet of the campus' facilities are under water. Several hundred volunteers from the university and surrounding community helped sandbag Sunday in hopes of protecting other buildings from expected flooding.
"The volunteers have just been incredible," said Mike Sullivan, Emergency Management spokesman for Johnson County. "Some of these people, they've lost their homes, they've lost their businesses, but they're still down there helping." (AP, 6/15/08)
Campus is closed until June 23, and summer classes suspended. Even after the river "crests" (reaches its highest peak) the flooding won't dissipate for several weeks.
Original Story
Record Midwest Flooding Continues, Cedar Falls Threatened
Copyright © 2009 Informify
Question for Readers:
Do you think towns currently located in flood plains anywhere in the United States should learn from the Midwest floods and relocate to higher ground?
Floods, Food & Fuel: Expect a Price Hike
Referred to as the "breadbasket" of the country, the Midwest grows...
- corn
- wheat
- grain
- soybeans
- other crops
Recent storms, tornadoes and floods have destroyed many of these crops, which the rest of the country depends on for food and fuel. (Much of Iowa's corn is converted into ethanol for vehicles.)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reduced its corn prediction by 3% based on recent rains and flooding.
Crop loss drives prices up. Between decimated crops and a growing demand for ethanol, corn reached $7 a bushel for the first time.
Mississippi River Closed to Ships in Illinois
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers closed 200 miles of the Mississippi River Friday between St. Louis and Rock Island, Ill., because of recent flooding.
Agriculture and cargo ships use the river route as a water thoroughfare. In fact, it's America's primary route. The closure delays transportation of corn, grain and other goods to cities downstream.
Engineers expect to keep the river closed for at least two weeks.
Barges as far upriver as Minneapolis were trapped, unable to deliver an estimated 135,000 tons of cargo daily, including...
- grain
- coal
- fuel
- fertilizer
One-quarter Crops Lost in Southern Wisconsin
Wisconsin farmers also worry about storm impacts on their crops in the lower third of the state. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau predicts a lost of more than...
- 200,000 acres of corn
- 200,000 acres of soybeans
(Source: USA Today Midwest flooding could push prices of food higher (USA Today, 6/13/08)
Story Sources
Hundreds ordered to flee homes in Iowa City (AP, 6/15/08)
As Iowa's waters rise, a town tries to save itself (Los Angeles Times, 6/15/08)
Latest University of Iowa flood news (University of Iowa, 6/15/08)
Receding Cedar Rapids flood reveals wide damage (AP, 6/15/08)
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Show/Hide commentsCLEANUP OF FLOODED AREAS.
JIM CARROLL from WINTHROP MA. said:
| ONE OF THE GREASTEST COSTS OF THE FLOODS MUST NOW BE THE CLEANUP.TO DO THIS I ASSUME PESTICIDES WILL HAVE TO BE USED. BUT ARE CO's REPUTIBLE ENOUGH NOT TO USE TOXINS POSSIBLY DOING MORE DAMAGE TO THE CROPS IN THE FUTURE? WHAT CO'S ARE BEING USED? |
Didn't we learn from Katrina??
k-dog from Illinois said:
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Why rebuild on a flood plain....washing away billions of taxpayer dollars?? New Orleans will probably get hit again by the Mississippi and the poor taxpayers will fork over more money for those who feel they are entitled to new homes/debit cards every time mother nature hits. However, building on a flood plain with the realization you could lose your home and taking the responsibility to rebuild it yourself or with your community like most of the folks in the Midwest '93 floods would be more palatable than the Katrina handouts that seem never-ending--without individual fortitude, initiative, and the willingness to rebuild private property...certain communities like New Orleans should be left vacant as we don't need a logistically volatile welfare state/town. The Midwest will recover and thrive as the people come with a strong work ethic and are not generally reliant on welfare or hand-outs. |
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