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Study says poor suffered most in Iowa flooding
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
A new study says low-income people were hit hardest by this year's flooding and that the state should take this into account when designing its rebuilding plans.
The study by the Iowa Fiscal Partnership focused on Cedar Rapids, which saw the most significant flooding. It found that the poverty rate of those impacted by the floods in Cedar Rapids was nearly 13 percent, far higher than the city generally and twice as high as Linn County's overall rate.
Iowa City to seek buyout of flooded homes
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Iowa City is moving forward with a plan to seek a buyout for each of the 245 homes that were damaged in June's record flooding.
City council members, during a work session on Monday, say while only so much federal money will be available, it's best to give everyone a shot at a buyout.
Gov. Blunt asks Ag Dept. for assistance
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to declare 67 Missouri counties natural disaster areas.
Blunt sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer on Monday asking him to declare the 67 counties as natural disaster areas for agricultural losses due to excessive moisture and flooding related damages.
Volunteers help families in South Indian Graves
Friday, August 08, 2008
Even though the flood waters have gone down in some areas, many families are left cleaning up after the destruction.
Regents study possible sale of mural
Friday, August 08, 2008
The Iowa Board of Regents has agreed to study a possible sale of a famous Jackson Pollock painting at the University of Iowa to help pay for flood recovery on campus.
Regent Michael Gartner raised the idea during a regents meeting on Thursday on Cedar Falls.
Loebsack meets with flood victims
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Congressman Dave Loebsack is meeting with flood victims across Iowa to get a first hand understanding of the problems they are facing after the flooding.
The congressman sat down with victims in Keokuk Thursday morning and listened to their stories of how the flood waters damaged their lands and homes.
Old county flood plain maps cause for concern
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Iowa officials estimate it will cost $15 million to bring Iowa up to speed on flood plain maps.
Only 50 of Iowa's 99 counties have complete maps that meet federal standards.
The outdated or incomplete maps are problems because large parts of the state face unknown risks and don't qualify for federal flood insurance.
Culver says flood's impact could hit $10 billion
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Gov. Chet Culver said Wednesday that Iowas overall financial losses from flooding could push as high as $10 billion.
Culver also says he has invited House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and other federal leaders to come to Iowa to view damage first hand in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and other areas damaged by flooding.
Hannibal to pursue flood buyout program
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
The city of Hannibal is exploring a buyout of homes affected by this summer's flood.
The Hannibal City Council on Tuesday agreed to develop a draft program that would be brought back to the council for review.
Some leaders worry over flood funding
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Some southeastern Iowa leaders are worried that hurricane season damage could jeopardize federal allocations for Midwest flood recovery.
Among them are State Rep. Tom Sands, R-Columbus Junction, and that city's mayor, Dan Wilson. They say they are worried about federal allocations for Iowa if other parts of the country require massive disaster relief.
Clarksville residents need your help
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Clarksville residents are asking for your help to remove thousands of sandbags from their homes and businesses.
Salt River flooding update
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Water continues to fall on Mark Twain Lake. Tuesday afternoon the water level was at six hundred thirty-one point two feet and falling.
Mark Twain Lake update
Monday, August 04, 2008
Water continues to fall on Mark Twain Lake today. The water level was at 633.8 feet this morning and falling.
Dear project online
Monday, August 04, 2008
Corps reopens Mark Twain Lake
Monday, August 04, 2008
Boaters will soon be returning to Mark Twain Lake.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it plans to reopen the lake to boaters Monday afternoon with some restrictions. For example, boating will be restricted to daylight hours and prohibited within 1,000 feet of the front of Clarence Cannon Dam.
Illinois flood aid exceeds $9 million
Monday, August 04, 2008
Federal authorities say they have approved more than $9.7 million in disaster assistance grants for Illinois residents who suffered damages and losses from the severe storms and flooding that struck the state between June 1 and July 22.
Winfield residents remove sandbags
Monday, August 04, 2008
Volunteers have started removing the hundreds of thousands of sandbags used to keep floodwaters at bay in the northeast Missouri town of Winfield.
More than a month has passed since the Mississippi River inundated the town. A 4-foot tall sandbag wall that residents and others built between the river and city five weeks ago had remained.
Regents still unsure of flood's impact on budgets
Friday, August 01, 2008
The Iowa Board of Regents says it may be months before the impact flooding will have on the budgets for the University of Iowa, Iowa State and Northern Iowa is fully known.
The proposed 2008-09 budgets for the three state universities have not yet been adjusted as a result of the flood and its impact.
Emergency loans approved for railways
Friday, August 01, 2008
The Iowa Railway Finance Authority has approved $4 million in emergency loans to help seven railroads repair track damaged by recent floods.
The funding comes from the Rail Revolving Loan and Grant Program, which will offer 15-year loans at 0 percent interest. It also defers loan payments until January 2011.
Lawmakers say more disaster funding will come
Friday, August 01, 2008
Three members of Iowa's congressional delegation say House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has assured them that Congress will provide more disaster-related funding.
Reps. Leonard Boswell, Bruce Braley and Dave Loebsack, all Democrats, say Pelosi promised the funding would be approved before Congress adjourns at the end of September.
Businesses hurt by Mark Twain Lake flooding
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Homeowners and farmers aren't the only ones hurting during this flood. Many business owners in the popular tourist spot are losing much of their year's income during what is normally their peak tourist season.
No disaster declaration yet for Salt River basin
Thursday, July 31, 2008
There is help available for flood victims, but for now it's not coming from the State or Federal governments.
Water going down on Mark Twain Lake
Thursday, July 31, 2008
No rain overnight Wednesday is good news for officials with the Army Corps of Engineers.
Harkin says $10 billion on way for Midwest flood relief
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Senator Tom Harkin says more than $10 billion in disaster aid, including $182 million for a new federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids, has the backing of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Harkin says not all of the money is earmarked for Iowa, but since the state was the hardest hit by flooding last month, much of the funding will be directed here.
Water Patrol closes Salt R. below Mark Twain Lake
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Missouri State Water Patrol has closed a large portion of the Salt River from the Clarence Cannon Dam to the Mississippi River in northeast Missouri.
The closure is effective immediately because large releases of water from Mark Twain Lake are resulting in unsafe currents and debris. Boaters won't be allowed on that part of the river.
Iowa expert says decent corn crop still possible
Thursday, July 31, 2008
A grain expert says Iowa could see a decent harvest despite this year's devastating flooding.
Iowa State Extension analyst Chad Hart on Wednesday told a state panel that Iowa should harvest about 93 percent of the corn planted. That's more optimistic than earlier estimates, when state officials speculated that 20 percent of the corn crop and 10 percent of soybeans were ruined.
Electricity to area homes not in danger
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Cannon Dam releasing more water from Mark Twain Lake
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The flood waters in the Salt River Basin in northeast Missouri are inching higher as the Corps of Engineers continues to ramp up the water releases from the Cannon Dam.
Spencer Creek flooding
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
We'd heard a report that Ralls County had issued a voluntary evacuation order for those living in the Spencer Creek bottoms.
Call for sandbaggers at Mark Twain Lake
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Officials are still asking for additional sandbaggers to fight the rising Mark Twain Lake.If you would like to volunteer, they can go to the project office in Ralls County to check-in.
Residents evacuate, now separated from homes
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
As the water releases go up, residents along the Salt River are beginning to see flood waters edging into their fields and homes.
Officials: Flooding damage to roads at $30 million
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Iowa officials say emergency repairs to Iowa's roads are costing about $30 million and climbing.
State officials say the funding has been needed after record flooding last month. Flooding forced the closure of 464 miles of Iowa's state highway system, including 303 bridges and culverts.
Flooding, heavy rain causes $40 million in soil damage
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
A new survey shows that Iowa's soil and water conservation structures have suffered $40 million worth of damage as a result of heavy rain and flooding this year.
The survey by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship shows that an estimated 2.3 million acres, about 10 percent of Iowa's cropland, has suffered severe erosion damage, which is defined as the loss of 20 tons or more of soil per acre.
Spencer Creek residents move to higher ground
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Ralls County Sheriff Paul Forney issued an urgent request Wednesday morning for all residents of the Spencer Creek Bottoms.
Sheriff Forney asked anyone who lived in the area to move to higher ground.
MODOT anticipates more road closures
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Mark Twain boating halted for now
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Corps may release more water from dam
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
All this rain is making the flooding situation on Mark Twain Lake worse.
The Corps tells KHQA it may have to double its current release to around 78,000 cubic feet a second. That's nearly 600,000 gallons a second. But the next release depends on just how much rain we get.
Parts of northeast Mo. struggle with new floods
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The flooding woes in parts of northeast Missouri aren't quite over thanks to recent heavy rains that have led to scattered reports of newly water-logged homes, damaged bridges and impassable roads.
At the Mark Twain Lake in Monroe and Ralls counties, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continued to release water into the Salt River to drop the lake's elevation, already at an all-time high and near capacity.
Quincy riverfront parks face hard challenges
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The Quincy Park District has a big job ahead of it.
The record floods in June damaged the landscapes of some of the riverside parks in Quincy.
Park District crews have been working hard to get the parks back in shape. Especially, at Clat Adams where you can clearly see the damage done by the flood waters.
Des Moines officials target properties for buyouts
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
City officials in Des Moines have identified nine residences, with possibly two more additions, that are eligible to receive buyouts after flooding damage in Des Moines' Birdland Park neighborhood.
City officials say homeowners who accept buyouts will receive up to $12,000 for relocation, plus either the assessed value of their property times 1.1 or the value determined by an independent appraiser.
Mark Twain Lake flooding affects boaters
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Meanwhile officials are also warning boaters of the new potential dangers on the Mark Twain Lake these days due to the flooding.
Salt River residents evacuating
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The evacuation of the lower Salt River basin is putting residents in the 45 homes affected on high alert. Most residents are heeding the advice and heading for higher ground.
Flood buyout meeting in Saverton
Monday, July 28, 2008
The sandbags and floodwaters might be gone, but the paperwork has just begun.Monday night, residents from the Saverton-Monkey Run area turned out for a flood buyout meeting.
It's a voluntary, federal program that allows cities or counties to buy property from residents living in flood-prone areas.
Salt River Update
Monday, July 28, 2008
More residents are packing up and moving out after officials expanded the suggested evacuation area around the lower Salt River basin Monday.
Stress, insomnia seen in flood victims
Monday, July 28, 2008
Mental health professionals in flood-damaged areas such as Cedar Rapids say they're seeing flood victims who are suffering from stress and insomnia, but they warn that some psychological problems may not be seen for many more months.
Alan Whitters, the director of the Iowa Disaster Response Team of the Iowa Psychiatry Society, says symptoms being seen now are just the beginning.
Researchers want to study kids affected by floods
Monday, July 28, 2008
University of Iowa researchers are seeking grant money to study how living in flooded areas affects young students in Cedar Rapids.
Three university professors have asked the National Science Foundation for $60,000 to look into how flooding impacts the children's family life, grades and network of support.
Salt River in Shelby County reaches highest level
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Ralls County evacuating low-lying areas
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Officials in Ralls County are evacuating the county's low-lying areas around the Salt River.
Due to unusually high water levels in Mark Twain Lake, the Army Corps of Engineers are releasing water from the Clarence Cannon Dam into the Salt River.
Update: Road closures in Shelby County
Sunday, July 27, 2008
MoDOT has reopened Route 36 west of Hunnewell at the Salt River due to flash flooding.
Two other local highways have been closed due to water over the roads. Highway's DD and NN are closed until further notice.
Sny Island officials asking DC for support
Friday, July 25, 2008
Now that flood waters are going down, Tri-State officials have moved from the levees to the lawmakers in hopes of preventing another disaster from happening again.
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