Right Voices

Flooding in Findlay, Ohio

While many of us complain about gas prices and politics, Americans in Midwest areas are wondering what the next day will bring. Last night I saw a heartbreaking image of a woman entering her house in Iowa, after the flood water had receded, to find everything she owned destroyed. She had grown up in that house; now only memories were left inside the rotting shell.

That scene is multiplied by the thousands. Contemplating this I realized my own troubles, worries, and complaints are so insignificant in perspective. The good news is the emergency personnel, the National Guard, the volunteers, and others are doing a great deal to help. I’m going to make a donation to the American Red Cross for flood relief and with it will go my hopes and prayers for the victims of this disaster, that they can get their lives back on track as soon as possible.
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UPDATE(Pam) 06/20/2008

Levees broke along the Mississippi and here are some pictures that will give you an idea of the devastation:

Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s second-largest city, was one of the worst hit, with 438 city blocks inundated.

Look, no looting or beer, just a bag of belongings…

google iowa flood and 28,309 hits show up!

Reflections from Katrina:

YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN

A Katrina Timeline

They died because of their unhealthy dependence

Remember when Iowa was the hottest ticket in town…during the primary!

UPDATE II: Midwest flood victims feel misled by feds

Juli Parks didn’t worry when water began creeping up the levee that shields this town of about 750 from the Mississippi River – not even when volunteers began piling on sandbags.

After all, local officials had assured townspeople in 1999 that the levee was sturdy enough to withstand a historic flood, and FEMA had agreed. In fact, some relieved homeowners dropped their flood insurance, and others applied for permits to build new houses and businesses.

Then on Tuesday, the worst happened: The levee burst and Gulfport was submerged in 10 feet of water. Only 28 property owners were insured against the damage.

“They all told us, ‘The levees are good. You can go ahead and build,’” said Parks, who did not buy flood coverage because her bank no longer required it. “We had so much confidence in those levees.”

I feel bad for her loss and that of her neighbors, but my cottage is on a river that is fed by the lake that is attached.  I didn’t get the mortgage without flood insurance, and must keep the flood insurance until the mortgage is paid.  I had a high premium for one month, and at the end of the first month, the premium  dropped to a pittance because I followed the FEMA guidelines for flood vents on the house.  My carpenter worked with the insurance company and FEMA and after much head scratching and shrugged shoulders as to the “why this way?”, the insurance company was satisfied with his work and I was satisfied with the price.  The piece of mind is worth the premium.

I am also reminded of The Great Flood of 1993

The Great Flood of 1993 constituted the most costly and devastating flood to ravage the United States in modern history. Levees were broken, farmland, town, and transportation routes were destroyed, thousands of people were forced to abandon their homes, and 47 people died as a direct result of the flood.

The Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, reported that the flood caused enormous human suffering. At least 75 towns were completely inundated, some of which have not been rebuilt. The Great Flood of 1993 inundated more than 20 million acres in nine states. Approximately 54,000 people had to be evacuated from flooded areas at some time during the flood, and approximately 50,000 homes were destroyed or damaged. Losses were estimated at 15 to 20 billion dollars.

1993 Flood Peaks    1993 Flood Photos    1993 Flood Publications