Flood of 2008

2008 was a tough weather year for Iowans.  Over 80 counties were declared state disaster areas, over 20 are presidential disaster areas.  25,000 Iowans in my town of Cedar Rapids are out of their homes.  1300 city blocks, 9.2 square miles, are or were under water.  This included all of downtown Cedar Rapids.  Buildings ten blocks away from the Cedar River took on three feet of water.

Our community spirit has shown through.  At the height of the flood Cedar Rapids put out a call for volunteers to sandbag the last well pumping water to the city.  I was one of the thousands that showed up in the thunderstorm to help.  Many of us then went to a local hospital to sandbag until the early morning.

We have a long, tough road ahead.  We'll rebuild houses and businesses.  The links on the left lead to information on resources available to individuals and businesses affected by this natural disaster.  Posted below is a memo I prepared for visiting legislators with damage assessments and flood statistics.  It illustrates the intensity and immensity of the recovery and rebuilding we face.

Please feel free to contact me directly at tyler.olson@legis.state.ia.us or (319) 365-1840 if you have questions.

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