Posted on 06/16/2008 12:26:38 AM PDT by gpapa
If the terrible Midwest floods have a silver lining, it is the grit and self-reliance that residents have shown in coping with the disaster. Iowans in particular haven't blamed everyone else for their version of Katrina. They've been following orders on when to evacuate, volunteering to lay sandbags to protect still-dry areas, and are already planning how they'll clean up the mess when the floodwaters subside.
The worst floods in 15 years have done enormous damage, especially in the industrial city of Cedar Rapids. The Cedar River crested at some 31 feet on Friday, compared to 19 feet during the 1993 flood. No doubt if the floods had occurred closer to the East and West Coast media centers, they might have received more attention. It is also a tribute to Midwestern state and local governments that they've gone about their emergency tasks with notable competence.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
It is also a tribute to Midwestern state and local governments that they've gone about their emergency tasks with notable competence.
Oh help me Federal Government I can’t do it. Only the omni potent Federal Government can save me from a natural disaster.
I get so tired of the Left’s constant refrain of the people must be saved from every little bump in the road.
Granted a 500 year flood is not a common bump in the road but as the author states Iowa is doing quite well with out FEMA holding their hand at every turn.
Louisiana during Katrina was an example of Incompetence of leadership on a monumental scale.
Louisiana during Katrina was an example of what years (decades really) of Democratic Party graft, cronyism and corruption can do to a state.
Someone should drag Nagin and Blanco out there to show them how real people cope with disaster.
These are the “bitter, clinging, guns and religion” people that make up the very heart of America. God bless and give them strength now!
Still waiting...
I have also heard from various sources that the monies available were quite limited in scope and subject to stringent rules. One family had the road to a piece of hunting land washed out last year. There were no Federal funds available for the road repair, so they managed by using an earthen dam as a walkway onto their land. This year, the dam was purposely breached to prevent water buildup (the water ran into a natural creek bed, instead of flooding out a road), so they now have no way to access the land and will simply have to rebuild the road themselves.
There are ongoing discussions with State and Federal authorities as to what funds might be available to repair myriad watershed dams, the main purpose of which is to prevent flooding of homes. Predictably, the concern of our liberals is the restoration of a fishing/swimming lake that could be left dry with an earthen dam to prevent flooding. It is going to cost a lot more to restore the storage lake.
This area is used to flooding. One town was moved in the 1980s and another town is being abandoned after this year's flood. Most people simply carry on, some with private insurance, some with Federal flood insurance and many with just their own resources. Federal disaster loans to the counties are used for road/bridge repair. While we are fine, we noticed that last summer we had an official assessment of damage, while this year, no one even showed up to do the assessment.But then, we are typical white rural people and no one with any sense expects anything from government.
Without periodic flooding, there would be no soil replenishment. There’s a reason.
It’s a natural cycle.
Your Midwestern grit and determination will save the day and show everyone in this country that you are truly made of the finest stuff!
God bless and help all of you there! Good luck!
living south of iowa city and north of columbus junction where the iowa and cedar rivers meet, I can tell you all that the sense of community is incredible.
the heart of this great country of ours is still beating!
I posted a personal comment thread yesterday and was called a racist, accused of hating the State of Louisiana and everyone in it, asked if I went to church and suggested (which I considered to be an excellent point) that my post be restated as Cedar Rapids vs New Orleans.
I did get one great football reply from the Thread IOWA VS LOUSIANA.
Where is the President, Vice President, FEMA, or anyone in the government? The government is still whining about Katrina, but barely a word has been said about the good folks in Iowa. All of our recourses are being used in the Middle East. The President is spending all of his time in Europe when we need him here at home. This is really embarrassing.
in Cedar Rapids we have a rather extensive volunteer operation that is organized through a wide variety of area churches - many denominations - that is called Serve the City. They are a member of the Linn COunty Association of Evangelicals and serve in various ways throughout the community through the year. The hotline number now has 5 phone lines and my understanding is that almost all of Cedar Rapids volunteer efforts for flood relief are being organized through this group and the Red Cross. I called this morning and they are currently working to organize a similar effort with the Iowa City churches in the next day or two. The number is 378-0337 and their flood assistance website is http://www.servethecity.org/Emergency%20Flood%20Assistance/FloodAssistanceGeneralPage.htm. Cedar Rapids also has a Red Cross office at (319) 393-3500 and there is an Iowa City office as well at 319-337-2119. http://www.grantwood-redcross.org/index.html?gwatitle.htm&1
Get a Grip, Scoprio!
As long as we're fighting this thing, we really don't need the POTUS or the VP here, requiring law enforcement officials to take time away from necessary jobs to provide extra protection and coordination. We've got work to do, and the fewer interuptions, the better.I, too, am below Iowa City. We need to concentrate on the work at hand.
sorry for the HTML screw up.
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