In a matter of days, torrential downpours caused Ames Iowa and other central Iowa towns to flood severely. This strikes near and dear to me, as I graduated from Iowa State in 2006. Parking lots that were soon to hold fellow Cyclones fans for tailgating now look like lakes. Major roads have been closed in parts and the water supply is no longer safe for consumption.

As of 8/11/10, Ames’ water supply had been shut down. This left approximately 50,000 people without water. At about 9:30 p.m. water was turned back on, but is only safe for bathing and flushing toilets. A boil order remains in place for Ames residents. Water isn’t expected to be safe to drink until next Tuesday at the earliest.

If you’re in need of water, you can stop by these Ames businesses to receive 2 gallons per person, per day:

1. Walmart on Grand Ave.
2. Quality Inn on 13th St.
3. Sam’s Club on Airport Rd.

(Read AmesTrib.com to learn more about where you can obtain free, safe drinking water).

Maple, Willow and Larch's south parking lot. Photo taken by Student Jeff Doran.

The ISU Campus is closed Thursday, August 12th and will reopen at a later date (TBA) for now, take caution. Flood waters are often deeper than you expect. These waters can also harbor disease and injury. Dark, muddy waters can hide sharp objects and tetanus becomes a risk. Also, this is not just rain water you see, it is also mixed with sewage and can be very hazardous to your health.

If you’re exposed to flood water, you run the risk of catching dangerous ailments like Cryptosporidium, E coli and Hepatitis A.

So all of you at Iowa State and the surrounding Ames areas, we at SaveIowa.org hope that you and your loved ones are safe during this disaster. If you have pictures or a story about the Ames flooding you’d like to share, please contact me at CariCooney27@gmail.com.

The first picture is of Hilton Coleseium, taken by Dr. Gloria Betcher, Professor of English at ISU.

Several buildings on the Iowa State University campus, such as Hilton Coliseum where the Cyclones play basketball, are besieged by water. It was reported via Twitter that there is currently five feet of water inside the building, causing the floor of the basketball court to float.

“This is a particularly dangerous situation,” said Ames Fire Chief Clint Petersen.

The Iowa Department of Transportation closed Interstate 35 just south of Ames, and as well as both lanes of U.S. 30 are also closed from I-35 to U.S. 69.

Adding to the chaos, city officials are now worried about a mysterious leak draining one of the city’s water towers. Ames Mayor Ann Campbell said this afternoon that the water tower at State Street and Mortensen Road is “reducing rapidly” due to a broken water main pipe.

ISU football players were stacking sandbags around the football stadium Wednesday in an effort to help save buildings. The University of Iowa has offered to help ISU and the city of Ames with flooding issues on campus.

The above pictures are compliments of The Troendles photostream on Flickr.

Elizabeth and her husband were going through a separation at the time of the flooding in 2008. Though she was living in a separate apartment, many of her items were being stored at their home together on 10th Street. Elizabeth was still frequently at the home, helping her husband remodel the kitchen and attic. They had just finished remodeling the bathroom.

When the word of possible flooding reached Elizabeth, she was nervous. Being told that it would be no worse than the flooding of 1993; she still felt it was necessary to move appliances and other items up to higher ground. Soon after, she noticed police driving up and down her street in gators, recommending evacuation. With out of town commitments pending, she called her husband, who happened to work for the city. He assured her everything would be taken care of and that she should keep on with her plans. The recommended evacuation was merely for “liability purposes.” She headed to St. Louis as planned, only to get the call that her neighborhood’s evacuation recommendation had been moved to “mandatory.”

A frantic Elizabeth called her husband, who was at work and beyond exhausted. She begged for him to find the time to save their cats and dogs. He was able to retrieve them, but assumed the birds would be safe and he left them behind. When the levee broke, he feared for the birds’ safety. There was no way he could walk into his house and get them. The National Guard wasn’t going to let him access his home. Not to mention there was four feet of water sitting on the main level. He decided to borrow a canoe from a friend. Quietly, he slipped past the National Guard and got into his house. The birds were rescued.
After the water was gone, Elizabeth described it as “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Mud was everywhere in the house and the smell of mold was awful. Friends came to help clean and salvage what they could of the home. The pets were boarded free of charge thanks to Elizabeth’s friend, Robin from Anamosa, Iowa. Clothing that was able to be saved were aggressively washed and washed again.

Treasured items were lost in the flooding. Among those items were cards, yearbooks and even Elizabeth’s beloved piano from when she was a child…all destroyed by the flooding. She had lost precious keepsakes from her grandmother, who had passed away. They also lost two vehicles. Her now ex-husband filed for assistance through FEMA, but she never saw any of the money to help her replace what she lost. She’s moved on, but she says she’ll never forget the shared loss she feels with the Cedar Rapids community.

As for the house, it still remains vacant two years later. The walls are knocked out. The once remodeled bathroom is back to framework. In an instant, a lifetime of memories were washed away.

The city was hit exceptionally hard by flooding in 2008. Reports indicate close to 400 homes were damaged by high water, causing almost $10 million dollars in total damage to city property.

Close to 95 percent of the community went underwater during the flood disaster.

On Wednesday, the city broke ground on the $4.5 million facility. The 14,000-square-foot facility is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Iowa Homeland Security.

In February the city received more than $6 million in federal flood recovery dollars to upgrade its water supply, something that was needed before construction on the new City Hall could begin.

Palo’s new city hall and community center are set to open in August of 2011.

If you or your family were affected by the devastating 2008 storms in Iowa, you may be experiencing ongoing physical, emotional and financial stress. Ticket to Hope can help. It’s a free program and will help you regain a sense control over your life.

Ticket to Hope provides up to eight counseling sessions from a licensed mental health professional in your area. The program is managed through the Iowa Department of Human Services. You and your family are eligible to receive free counseling through Ticket to Hope if you meet the criteria below.

Unfortunately, the program is slated to expire at the end of June. Hopefully the Iowa DHS decides to continue the program.

People can call the Ticket to Hope hotline at 1-800-447-1985 for more information.

Czech and Slovak Museum &amp Library Grand Re-Opening: Now located at 87 16th Avenue SW, in the heart of the Czech Village, the new museum also captures the experience so many along the west bank of the Cedar River felt during those days in June of 2008. The flood damage forced the museum to a temporary display at Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids before the move back to the Czech Village.

Federal Funds for Czech Museum Not Wasteful, Loebsack Tells Glenn Beck: Iowa Congressman Dave Loebsack is firing back at Glenn Beck after the conservative commentator, in a recent column, referred to federal funds allocated to the National Czech and Slovak Museum in Cedar Rapids as “unbelievable waste.”

Flood director makes plea for social equality in awarding flood protection systems: Cedar Rapids flood recovery director Greg Eyerly made an impassioned plea Thursday for social equality in the awarding of federal flood protection systems. Speaking at the first meeting of the Regional Flood Risk Management Team, which includes federal and state officials from Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Missouri, Eyerly said if the Cedar River flood of 2008 had “happened in Malibu, they would already have a flood-protection system in place.”

Iowa City nets $25M for flood projects: U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke was in Iowa City on Friday to announce $25 million in Economic Development Administration grants to design an elevated Dubuque Street and Park Road Bridge and relocate the North Wastewater Treatment Facility out of the floodplain.

Group honored for flood cleanup work: The Iowa River Cleanup Partnership of Johnson County recently received the IOWATER Watershed Group of the Year award from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

U.S. Commerce Secretary hands out flood recovery money: U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke traveled to Iowa City today to award four Iowa communities with a share of $30 million in grants for flood recovery. Most of the grant money – $25 million – will go to Iowa City to help relocate a wastewater treatment facility damaged by the flood of 2008.

Volunteers needed for cleanup of upper Mississippi River: Living Lands & Waters is seeking approximately 800 to 1,000 volunteers from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri to take part in a first-ever, multistate cleanup of the upper Mississippi River. The event will take place Saturday, June 19, with a goal of involving volunteers in 22 cities from Saint Paul, Minn., to St. Louis. LL&W also needs site coordinators for each location, boats and drivers and supplies.

Stop playing politics with people facing real hardship: “It is as if a tornado hit their home or a flood wiped out their community,” says Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. “It is an emergency, and we respond to emergencies with emergency spending.”

There are so many stories from flood victims that find their way to my inbox. While all of them are interesting, heart-breaking and sometimes, pleasantly enlightening, the story of Timothy “TJ” Jensen was truly incredible. Told to me by his dear friend Rebecca Hall, his story of loss, courage and perseverance could serve as an inspiration to all who reads his tale.

Timothy’s home on 18th Ave SW in the Czech Village of Cedar Rapids was a complete loss in the flooding of 2008. The value of his home dropped to nothing more than $5000.00 worth of land in the matter of weeks. Just months before that, everything was going well. He welcomed his first child into the world in March of the same year, a beautiful daughter named Makiah. As he was enjoying spending time with his newborn daughter, he never imagined that he would be forced to evacuate his home in just a few, short months.

As if there were not enough on his plate, he was also struggling with seizures brought on by Epilepsy from an early childhood accident. In the fall of 2003, Timothy was run off I-380 by a semi. The seizures increased in frequency and he was referred to the University of Iowa for further testing. Months went on. The testing continued to try and locate where in the brain the seizures were coming from. He went through surgery to attach electrodes to his brain to monitor the seizure activity.

The University was also conducting a study at the same time to help those with hearing impairments. The electrode data would be used to help the physicians at the University of Iowa with TJ’s seizures, but also with learning about various sounds and the brain’s response. With successful monitoring, they were able to pinpoint where his seizures were developing.

A second surgery would take place to attempt to halt the activity. Friend Rebecca Hall remembers talking to TJ. She told him she was afraid the surgery wouldn’t work and feared for his health. TJ’s response was “if it doesn’t stop my seizures, then that’s okay. It’s okay because if nothing else, I was able to be part of something that could help someone who is deaf hear someday.”

TJ’s surgery was a success. He was able to get his driver’s license back and received a promotion at this job. He was also able to purchase his home…the same home that was so quickly destroyed in the floods. In the following year after the flood, local station KGAN did a “30 Days of Thanksgiving” giveaway with Royal Neighbors of American. $74,000.00 was given to flood victims, one heart-wrenching story at a time. Rebecca wrote TJ’s tale for his nomination.

Her recommendation led to TJ winning $1000.00 towards getting his life re-established. She and his father worked out a deal where they told TJ that a contractor was going to be stopping by the flood house. He was quite surprised when it was a news crew, complete with balloons and a big check! They interviewed him right there…in the house he had loved so much. It was nothing more than sub-flooring and studs.

As of now, Timothy is staying with his family. He has recently received information that he is qualified for a buyout. He’s patiently playing the waiting game, but TJ has persevered over many challenges in the past few years, and anyone who knows Timothy Jensen personally wouldn’t expect anything different.

Senators question flood mapping [Burlington Hawkeye] - A bipartisan group of senators, including Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, questioned the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about flood insurance rate maps created for communities and individuals.

Historic, Possibly Deadly Flooding Predicted Swath of U.S. [ABC] – More than a third of the U.S. faces a high risk of flooding this spring, and Midwesterners may get the brunt of it, according to government forecasters.

University of Iowa’s Iowa Flood Center

Student project uses sonar to measure river levels [ICP] – A project spearheaded by a group of University of Iowa students has the potential to help hundreds of Iowa communities be better prepared in future years when floodwater threatens. The team of engineering students has developed a relatively low-cost, automated sonar sensor that when fixed to the underside of bridges can transmit up-to-the-minute data on river stages.

Iowa flood legislation washes aside [DMR] – Calls for more aggressive measures intensified after record floods in 1993 and a string of high-water crises that followed, causing $20 billion in damage. They intensified again after record flooding in 2008. Rising rivers this spring have prompted fears of another round of devastation. “It’s unconscionable that they could even consider adjourning without at least addressing some kind of flood plain development issues,” said Marian Gelb, executive director of the nonprofit advocacy group Iowa Environmental Council.

Grassley advises city leaders on flood protection system [CR Gazette] – Sen. Chuck Grassley told city officials Friday afternoon at City Hall that it will be easier for him to make a case for a federally-funded flood-protection system in Cedar Rapids if the city has the backing of the Army Corps of Engineers, Mayor Ron Corbett said.

Officials: We’re ready for flooding [IC Press Citizen] – Municipal and state officials said they learned lessons from the 2008 flood and are better prepared now to deal with spring flooding.

State officials urge Iowans to buy flood insurance [Radio Iowa] – State officials are urging Iowans in flood-prone areas to buy flood insurance. Angel Robinson, the Consumer Advocate in the State of Iowa’s Insurance Division, says only 15,000 Iowans currently have flood insurance. “I would also remind Iowans that their homeowners policies and the coverage that they’ve bought for their properties for commercial businesses will not actually cover them in case of a flood,” Robinson says.

UI, Cedar Rapids Brace For Flooding [KCCI] – The University of Iowa is still recovering from historic floods in 2008, but the school is preparing for the potential for more high water this spring.

Rebuild Iowa Press Release

MARCH IS FLOOD AWARENESS MONTH

Governor Culver to Sign Proclamation on Thursday

(DES MOINES) – Today, several state agencies kicked off a month-long public information campaign designating March as Flood Awareness Month. Flood awareness is particularly important since Iowa is still recovering from the floods and storms of 2008. The 2008 disaster was not only the worst natural disaster to strike the state, but is considered one of the largest disasters on record in U.S. history.

The Rebuild Iowa Office, the Iowa Insurance Division, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division will share flood-related information and safety tips with the media and the public throughout the month of March. Special presentations have also been organized in various communities about the benefits of flood insurance and preparing for future disasters.

“We do not know exactly what this spring will bring, but we do know that the storms and floods of 2008 have made us all aware of the need to be prepared,” said Governor Chet Culver. “We want all Iowans to be aware of the resources that are available to minimize loss should flooding occur again.”

On Thursday, Governor Culver will sign a proclamation declaring March Flood Awareness Month at a public event at the Capitol at 8:30 a.m.

State officials advise people to start assessing their risk of flooding by being aware of whether they live in or near a flood plain, discussing flood preparations with their families, and considering flood insurance. Iowans who rent or own a home or business should also be aware of the availability of flood insurance. Iowans want to consider looking into the insurance as soon as possible, because unlike homeowner’s insurance, there is a 30-day waiting period before flood insurance begins once a person purchases a policy. Iowans can find out more by visiting the Rebuild Iowa Office’s Web site at www.rio.iowa.gov.

Another helpful Web site for Iowans to refer to is www.FloodSmart.gov. Homeowners, renters and small business owners can estimate their premiums, calculate their flood insurance rate and find a local insurance agent qualified to sell flood insurance on this site. There are currently 15,360 flood insurance policies in Iowa, up approximately 40-percent from this time in 2008.

Lastly, Iowa’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division offers three simple steps for Iowans to protect themselves and their families before a flood or disaster occurs:

• Learn about and stay aware of flood risks in your community.
• Work with family members to put together a family emergency and evacuation plan.
• Put together an emergency kit before a disaster strikes.

Iowans can learn more about flood safety tips, evacuation plans and how to prepare for a disaster at www.bereadyiowa.org.

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Downtown Davenport not long after the floods

The Credit Island Bait Shop in Davenport, Iowa
By Cari Cooney

In the summer of 2008, the waters were starting to rise at alarming rates. Credit Island in Davenport, Iowa was no exception to the flooding, as for many years it falls victim to high water levels. The owners, Al and Alice Kump, along with friends and family of the Credit Island Bait Shop on West 2nd Street in Davenport knew they had to act fast if they wanted to save their store.

The City of Davenport was quick to bring down 15 truckloads filled with sand, ready for bagging. For two long weeks, Laura Formholtz helped the owner Al, her brother in law, stack piles of sandbags in hopes to save the Bait Shop’s building. Friends and family pitched in to help shovel bags full of sand and attempt to form protective barriers against the rising water. The local radio and news stations were kind enough to put a good word in, and strangers from all walks of life came to downtown Davenport to assist this small business in a time of crisis.

After two hard weeks of sandbagging and battling sunburn and heat exhaustion, everyone finally felt that they could relax. Unfortunately, the water continued to rise and Laura was once again back to help her family when they needed her. She described the dark waters that would rush up against the sides of her car as she drove to the Bait Shop. “I could slip into this river in the dark and never be heard from again…they would never even know I was gone! It was an understatement to say I was terrified!”

As the sandbagging continued, so did the generosity. Local grocery store Hy-vee brought food to all of the volunteers who spent hours in the heat helping to protect the Credit Island Bait Shop. After weeks of working hard to save this local store, the flooding subsided and the damage was assessed. Because the shop was not hooked to the local sewer line, harm was minimal. Merchandise had been removed in a timely manner, so no inventory was lost due to water damage. However, the time of the flooding would have been the months where the Bait Shop made the most income and sadly the owners lost revenue. There was some painting that needed to be re-done and the owners had some personal items destroyed, but the shop sustained very little water damage.

Laura Formholtz still looks back and thinks how lucky her family’s business was during the flooding of 2008. “I talked to people I otherwise never have had the chance to meet and I gained a bit more of an acceptance towards others. I think it was wonderful that so many people who never even met my family volunteered day after day to save the family business!”

Have a flood story you’d like to share? Send us an email!