Wondering if someone can share with me how Cedar Rapids is doing after the bad flooding?

PGStaff...I would imagine you have first hand knowledge.

Thanks for asking, LT. I was wondering the same thing as I was flying from San Diego to Detroit 2 weeks ago. I had a window seat and all looked normal, but I had no idea where we were.

Things are not well. Many streets are still lined with stuff that was ruined during the flood. Garbage all over the place makes it pretty depressing! Many businesses need to relocate and some will just go out of business. Many people who have lost their homes and belongings.

Cedar Rapids is a fairly good sized city, but not big enough to stay in the national news. I hope that the politicians don't forget what happened here. We were among the lucky ones, just a little damage and we should be open for business in about another week. Just had to clean up and replace the carpeting.

Thanks for the report, PG.

Stories culled from the net:

N.O. volunteers bring knowledge, compassion to Iowa victims

Though the statistics cannot rival the destruction reaped by Katrina, the individual and community losses bear an eerie similarity to the wreckage along the Gulf Coast. In many neighborhoods, doors swing open on dirt-crusted houses while flood lines reach to 6 and 8 feet. Inside, furniture and appliances rest where the water tossed them like toys. Ruined family photos are everywhere.


Federal officials urge rebuilding as a region

"People here in Iowa have a take-charge attitude," said Rep. Dave Loebsack, an Iowa Democrat. "But we need help from the federal government."


Local product helps with flood aftermath

''We have had to reorder it several times,'' he said. ''We're selling a ton of it because the disaster is so widespread and mold is a major issue. People who have used the product said they were very satisfied.''

Thousands of homes were partially or fully destroyed, Brown said, displacing many families.

''When you drive through affected areas, you see the outsides of the houses are black (with mold),'' he said. ''People coming in to the store are covered in black after working inside their homes.''

PGStaff...you have a PM.

I am so very disappointed by the news media and the politicians who seem to have moved on despite the continued suffering in the Midwest.

I suspect the national news media has moved on since it doesn't further their own agenda...but the congressional representatives from those districts should all be ashamed of themselves at this point.

I was there a couple of weekends ago. First time back in the CR area since the early in the year. Looked like something out of a movie. Very sad.

quote:

I hope that the politicians don't forget what happened here.

They wont if we keep reminding them.
Gonna get my typin' fingers movin'!

It's hard to remember all that needs to be addressed - the flooding, continued work in NO, Iraq, what with the economy and all.

I think that is why I just love ball. I can slip away for a few hours.!!Go team!!

....wild fires in California, hurricane season storm threats.

It would be nice if we could cancel our subscription to the Disaster of the Month Club.

Is there still a Red Cross presence in Iowa? Who is there to help other than the state?