These pictures are very eye opening!

I am from Philadelphia and I am fortunate enough not to have to ever go through so far any of this where I live...My heart goes out to everyone who was hit by this horrible and devasting storm. I just have a couple questions...Where is all of the media converage for Iowa, Where is the Federal Goverment? Where are all the big Hollywood stars and why are they not coming together to help like they did with every other town or city or state or country that was hit with a natural disaster. How come I never really hear about "Iowa Flooding" or about "Rebuilding Iowa"...Why does this situation not deserve everything that every other disaster received?

This photos bring back Katrina memories.... Especially the last one of the cats being rescued we had to go to our house by boat and get two cats and a dog...

These photos are a reminder of what nature can do. Just like what happen in mississippi the goverment need's to check on all of the levee's in the surounding area's to reinforce them. No one is to blame, we just need to come together and try to help one another through these trouble times. Nature answer to no one.

It's been a couple weeks since the flood disaster of mid America and I am glad that someone sent me these pictures of it. They are fantastic shots. I've gotten some from familly and friends but not as good as these. Waterloo is my husband and my 'hometown', we graduated from East High. 4th street was the cruise strip then. We are now in Illinois, still in a flood damaged area but not to the extent of Cedar Rapids. To hear about the devastation of Iowa was profoundly disturbing. We made calls to make sure that family and friends we knew were all OK, they were. *sigh* That the response is not the same as it was for New Orleans is not really that surprising. Iowa is not "high profile" like New Orleans. But Iowa does have ethnic diversity. It's just not a big deal....it's Iowa. I would take any city in Iowa ( Illinois and Wisconsin) before New Orleans (big cry babies!) to live and raise a family. You go Iowa! You will survive, rebuild, and keep your middle America values intact.

I am so glad I went through this area in April on my spring break before the flooding. I was able to see this beautiful area before all the destruction. I stayed in Bettendorf in a Motel 8 (on top of a hill) and ran along the Mississippi on a beautiful Sunday morning. Leaving there, I proceeded to Cedar Rapids where I stopped at a Starbucks just off the highway outside of downtown Cedar Rapids to ask questions on my way to Minn. I found some very nice people there willing to help answer my questions. I left Cedar Rapids and drove through downtown Waterloo to get to Hyw 63 which took me to Spring Valley, MN. I thought about postponing my trip until summer...I am glad I didn't wait for who knows how long it would be before I could drive this route again. It is amazing how much destruction the Cedar River has done to Cedar Rapids and Waterloo....who would have thought....My thoughts and prayers are with the residents of Iowa and Ill .

I agree, Lori you are a moron. I've lived in Cedar Rapids all my life and know the area well. When the flood waters cover the streets, it is very disorienting to know even where the streets are, let alone the 'manholes'. Even the aireal photos are hard to discern when the streets are covered with flood waters, but I'm sure Lori knows every neighbors color of shingles, so she will know.
The photos were great, remarkable; I'm impressed with the interest the nation has had with our local disasters. That's what makes America great.
Lori, thanks for the criticism, and I hope you are high and dry, but put a windshield in your belly so that you can see where you are going.

I live in Iowa city Iowa,and reading these comments theres alot of people that should keep you mouth shut. My family has lost there home. I work at a hospital and theirs at least 5 people I know that don't have a place to call home. But they still go to work, and manage to have a half smile on there face, So if you don't have anything good to say don't say it.

and the real sad thing is that no one will hear or remember the flodding in iowa, why? , because those communities come together and work through these types of natural disasters as one unit they don't have the time to bitch and blame (FEMA) or any other federal govt. enitity for their situation they come together and deal with it, maybe a lesson that should have been learned in new orleans. got to love those midwest values.

Wow those pics. are amazing

These are great pictures and would be wonderful for the book that is going to be made on the Floods of 2008.

A flood like this is always talked about but not really expected. That is why so many people live in a flood plain -- it can't happen to me. But the entire sense of the pictures is one of people in dire straits acting like sensible citizens, not fazed by impending disaster and willing to struggle against nature at its worst. Of course they can't win, but they have the spirit and determination to arise from the catastrophy better people, better citizens and determined to survive.

That is what Americans do. And nobody can do it better than Iowans.

Katrina / the poor did nothing but wait for help and blame everyone, the poor areas are still looking for help and are a mess
this could have been just as bad but we take resonablity for our selfs and blame it on nature not our goverment
you will see us back on our feet in a few months without blameing the world for not helping

hi my name is jeff i just turnd six im sorry about what happend with the floods and i hope u are allright at your house and safe but u are supost to be safe & god will make sure things will be even beter then before. the most important thing is your family and now you are all stronger and closer than ever lots of great things are coming soon youl see. Love, Jeff

I WAS RAISED IN CEDAR RAPIDS IOWA, I HAVE LIVED IN FLORIDA FOR
THE LAST 20 YEARS. IT IS VERY SAD TO SEE ALL OF THE DESTRUCTION.
I HAVE BEEN IN 3 HURRICANES THEY ARE MUCH WORSE.
I SEE PEOPLE ARE REALLY HELPING EACH OTHER. I LIVE IN LAKE WALES
FLORIDA AND WE WERE WITH OUT POWER FOR 2 WEEKS. MY HOME
IS ON A HILL SO I DIDNT EXPERIENCE ANY FLOODING. WOW THE
PICTURES ARE AWFUL. I HOPE EVERYTHING GETS BACK TO NORMAL
SOONER THEN EXPECTED.

Wow, I lost my house to this flood and still didn't get to see the water that high with those views, simply amazing

Unbelievable. How disrespectful many of these comments are. Many said that "they didn't know" about these floods?
You can just see how so many in our country have turned thir back on God.

"The eyes of the Lord are
everywhere
keeping watch on the wicked
and the good."
Proverbs 15:3

Richard, unbelievable that someone would try to tie in God with this. It has nothing to do whatsoever with God, god, or gods, its NATURE. We live on an ever-evolving planet which keeps on evolving regardless of us animals and plants.

To all of those who have lost in this event; bless you for who you are and what you have gone through. The love of many is spread to you

Mike, the point is not to say that these floods are a punishment from God,
not at all. It seems to me that when someone makes a comment about these events that so devestated so many people's lives they should do so with love and respect for the suffering that has occurred.
The bible verse is just a reminder that, if you believe God's Word, then you know He is keeping an eye on all His people and His creation.

To #568, I agree with you, I am an ex lousianan, the majority of the residents, do in fact live that way, it is disgusting, however you did not point the ones that don't live that way. The ones that do, their mental capacity cannot comprehend what we are even talking about here. It's all about the take, take, take. They are rude, obnoxious and have no values and morals. They don't deserve what happened to them, however there were MANY that took disgusting advantage of help from people and the so called FEMA and government. Passing down the family dynamics of "welfare living" is a way of life for them. I am so grateful Katrina forced me to move to the North. What a culture shock to learn that the heartland of America exists right here, everything happens for a reason. The FEMA bullshit, well
I lost everything, however I did not receive anything from them, my friends, family and American Red Cross helped me, I even still own the Teddy Bear they gave me. 8 months later I receive a letter from FEMA that I needed to pay back the money that they never even gave me. What a joke the organization was. I love living here and relearning what good people are all about. I have never felt more safe. Our community is helping those in need. That is all it takes.

My prayers are with all who went through this, be still and know that God is God and He will provide for you. I pray for an opportunity to help. To #441, godless in California, I especially pray for you to know God did not cause this. God's Word is here, read the Bible and get to know Him. I pray His abundant blessings on all those who suffered through this crisis.

The photo of the houses against the bridge pretty much says it all!!!!

Well, I got an idea of a way we could help. I know times are tight for everyone these days and fund-raisers are pulling at you from every direction. And you never know who you can trust to get money directly to those who need it without leeching.

A boy in my young son's school had this idea first for his Eagle Scout project, actually. He was trying to help some Katrina victims he'd discovered in ward that seemed to fall through the aid cracks and realized they had a Wal-Mart right nearby within walking distance. He asked for not money, but Wal-Mart gift cards.

You can get them in any denomination at any Wal-Mart or Sam's Club at a cashier or the service desk. I'm not a big fan of Sam Walton for various reasons. But that doesn't matter in this case. I checked and there are six Wal-Mart stores just in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids area.They get stocked quickly and abundantly. Even people in desperate shape can usually get to one. And they can get all sorts of food and supplies they really need. That's what matters.

I called a Wal-Mart in Cedar Rapids and talked to an assistant manager named Joanne Heath, who suggested a conduit. She said she spoke to a Red Cross worker on the phone Tuesday who broke down in tears because they just didn't have enough basic supplies to give to so many people.

We can do this with no red tape and no overhead. I called the American Red Cross chapter in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday and the phone was answered by a kindly voiced receptionist named Mary Lou. She was delighted with the idea and promised to get any gift cards you send to people who really need them. So here's her address:

> Mary Lou Takes
> American Red Cross Grant Wood Area Chapter
> 6300 Rockwell Dr. NE
> P.O. Box 10375
> Cedar Rapids, IA 52410
>
If you'd like to e-mail her personally, it's takesm@grantwood-redcross.org.

There also are ways to buy the gift cards online at walmart.com and have them mailed to any address you like. (Each mailing costs $1.87 and a registration is required. That's your call.)
>
> DAVID JONES: 255-8187 or djones8681@verizon.net
> INFOBOX: HOW TO HELP A Red Cross representative in Cedar Rapids, Iowa,
> will distribute Wal-Mart gift cards to folks who need them:
> * Mary Lou Takes American Red Cross Grant Wood Area Chapter 6300
> Rockwell Dr. NE P.O. Box 10375 Cedar Rapids, IA 52410
> * If you'd like to e-mail her personally, it's takesm@grantwood-redcross.org

Thanks to God that have preserved thousands of lives in this hard days, thats pictures are awesome, and declare how powerfull is the nature!!

We must do something to keep our environment in its normal way. less human intervation is the escape for us!!!

God bless us and bless America too

To you all americans Happy July 4

First of all this is NOT a "natural" disaster. Someone mentioned in a post about this area not being fit for habitation and that it's time to figure out a real solution instead of a bandaid fix. Face facts there are just some places where humans ARE NOT meant to build. Disrespect nature and face the consequences. The same applies to certain coastal areas and below sea level towns/cities along the gulf states. Like the city of Cairo Illinois these towns were not meant to be built, and this disaster will happen again.

My heart and prayers go out to the people and the entire state of Iowa. We need some rain here in Georgia; however, not that much! Keep up the FAITH!!

Gob Bless every family. You are in my prayers.

I have friends and family who lost their homes in the tornado and then were affected by the flood. To see some amazingly scary photos go to
http://picasaweb.google.com/generaldcmills/ParkersburgTornado/photo#s5204893 to see some aeiral photos of Parkersburg and New Hartford, IA. They got hit by a F5 tornado May 25 and then the town of New Hartford was evacuated by the flood later in June.

It is very peculiar in regard to the pictures that not one shows an Iowan carying a large plasma TV that is not theirs out of a store they do not own. Nor are there farmers with signs protesting FEMA delays in getting them their check......
Just an observation on the good ole midwestern decency.

So many generous volunteers pulled so many ways. Parkersburg was getting some great help. Then the floods hit and the volunteers had to make a decision who to help first. Parkersburg lost a lot of help. Thanks to the multitude of volunteers for their selfless help.

Where was FEMA? Where are all the celebrities in boats pretending to save people? Where was Oprah? Where was Rev Al Sharpton and Jesse Jaackson? Where is the 24Hr a day news coverage for two months? Where is the government with their cash/debit card for every person displaced out of their home? Where are the big citiies opening up their cities for people with no home? Where are the snipers/National Guard restoring order, shooting looters and taking peoples guns away? Where is everybody? Kinda makes you wonder, Huh?

This made me cry! I completely AGREE with what Don posted on July 6, 08 This is the Heartland... the hard working, honest, God fearing Americans who ask for little but give alot. What are we doing for them?!?!

from the north of england no tornados but plenty of water are thoughts go out to you too from a friendly firefighter,

I’ve never commented or even read a blog before. This was forwarded to me and being a flood victim I felt compelled by many of the entries written here. I hope I have not fueled any further negative discussions, but only offered something to think about.

I am tired of people not taking personal ownership for their actions. Too often in our society people must have someone to blame for their hardships. Sometimes bad things happen. In both the Katrina disaster and the Iowa disaster, weather is to blame. People had decisions to make in both disasters and many suffered the consequences of their decisions. This is simply a terrible situation. We can't feel good about turning it into a racial or political issue. It's a Mother Nature issue!

It's scary to me that people get angry and protective of their possessions, and will risk their lives selfishly to protect them, never thinking of the people that will risk their lives to save a stranger. Our society wants police protection at their disposal, but only when it’s convenient. We blame the government for imposing on us too much and in the next breath we blame them for not getting us help fast enough. Does this sound hypocritical to anyone else? Many people don’t believe we need the police to save us from ourselves, but it’s the unselfish ones that will realize someone who doesn’t have to care but does may save your life. We are all human and make mistakes; it’s what we learn from them that sets us apart. I hope Rick Blazek’s family is grateful someone had the sense to help him whether he likes it or not. He’s obviously having a hard time dealing with his loss, but if they hadn’t helped him make the right decision, I’m sure the news headline would read ‘Local Police responsible for man’s death.’ People are forgetting that he ran into that officer with his truck. The law is the law. We can’t decide which ones we want to follow and which ones we ignore. Take that officer out of his uniform leaving him his 2nd amendment rights and he has every right to pull out his gun! Truck vs. gun? Which guy is the bully now? Communism? Not quite. Take some personal responsibility people and stop blaming others like the police, FEMA or President Bush for our problems. If there are specific people that could have handled things better, such as the mayor of New Orleans, and the governor of Louisiana, let’s deal with that. If FEMA sucks, let’s fix it instead of complain about it. President Bush will be gone in 6 months and another President will become the fall guy for everything from terrorism to the price of gas to disastrous weather phenomena.

P.S. As a black woman living in Iowa, I believe it is not important to determine if one tragedy is worse than another. It is irrelevant and unproductive. Mother Nature is not racist or territorial. We are all subject to her wrath. Please don’t look at a picture of a man rescuing his beloved pets and another man carrying a box of inanimate possessions into a racial statement. This is sad and very scary. Stop looking for ways to ignite racial issues and you'll be a happier person, I promise! It’s inspiring to hear the wonderful stories of people helping people local or otherwise. That should make everyone proud and should be the focus of conversation!

Message # 222 is correct. So many of you have no clue about human nature, sociology, and the average state of behavior/results that arises out of the collective.

you hear about it but it isn't real until you see pictures. can't understand how bad it is until you see pictures..

I am totally amazed at some of the "stupid" jerks which have posted on this site condeming law enforcement for upholding the law! In my state the police would have not hesitated to PULL THE TRIGGER on someone so retarded to try and drive thru a police line, then ram a police car. It should have been time for pure termination!!!!!

more pics please

May GOD bless all who endured these awful times. Please remember, GOD doesn't give you more than you can handle. One day at a time, please believe, this too shall pass and together we will all get through this! Don't lose hope and eveyone needs to pray and pull together!

Wow! How sad is this! To be more specific, I am talking about the flooding. As far as all the blaming and bashing each other... It makes me so saddened to think of what people will do and say to one another. There really is so much hate in the world and there isn't room for hate when you have so much suffering and sorrow in the world. Why can't we all just get along? Why can't every person help there neighbor and fellow Americans and not point fingers, not belittle one another and intentionally try to hurt each other. The people of Iowa are showing that the majority of them can do just that and that, in its self is something to celebrate. If I can't walk in another mans shoes I will at least try and imagine what it would be like for them, where there point of view is coming from and try to be objective. I can only imagine that if my house were in a disaster area that I would be concerned about my property and God forbid my family, friends or pets were unaccounted for… I'd most assuredly try and return. I'd feel a deep need to do all I could but I'm not sure that If I was approached in a mannerly way that I could not be made to see the enormously dangerous position I might place myself or someone else in and although I may not feel it at the time of crises and my own heightened emotions, in the end I would be appreciative to those that serve to protect me and my fellow Americans who are only doing there job the same as we do ours… as we are told to do. Who can really say what they would do until they are actually faced with the situation, the loss, the grief? Go look at those photo's again and imagine that it is you and yours and see if all this bickering is what these photo's really mean to you. When I look at the photo of the two men and the cats I see a man trying to save a living creature that he knows will likely drown without his aid. They may likely be dear friends of his. I see a man trying to wade threw the water with a raft in a box and can only guess that it is going to be used to transport friends & family, young and elderly or it may be used to save the few possessions that he has left. I see determination and concern on there faces and I see all the effort in there stride to get to dry ground. It never even occurred to me to see two different colors and wouldn’t have until I read some of the comments. How sad that some still see color. How sad that some assume color is an issue.

Iowa… hats off to you. I can see that you are survivors, hard workers and will get through this. Keep on showing fellow American’s the possibilities of what working together can accomplish.

You see, the whole thing boils down to the basic midwestern/plainsman social structure. We, in this region of the country, are used to taking care of ourselves as well as our neighbors. We do not stand around whining about what someone else should do for us. We, rather, roll up our sleeves and pitch in to attack whatever obstacle is in the way. While our losses may not be as great as those in Southern Louisiana from the hurricane. Those losses we are suffering are felt just as keenly. We have lost homes, businesses and places of worship. There are those who are jobless, no income, have no shelter and no place to seek solace in the Lord. Yet you see them daily, cleaning up the damage, helping their neighbors and standing proud. Those of us who didn't suffer losses are able to help even more by offering to share some of what we have with those not so fortunate.

Iowa truly is "A Place To Grow."

I'm a native of Kalona, IA and now live and work in Cedar Rapids, IA. My home narrowly avoided the flood waters by less than 1block. I now see my neighborhood in ruins. This tragedy is horrific but truely shows Iowans strength and honesty. My relatives lost their business and within 1 day already had another business building purchased and were moving on. Other businesses did the same thing. Families that I know moved their belongings out of their homes and moved right in to apartments that were available while they watched the flood waters move in. They did all of this immediately without complaining or whining. Iowa people see what they need to do and just do it. They ask for help when help is needed and neighbors dig in to help. That's just how Iowans work together. Our honesty keeps crime rates low and even in times of tragedy, crime is still low so our law enforcement can focus on the high needs. We are a resilant people.

This is so sad. Why haven't we heard more about this on the news? What kind of help are these people getting? I keep hearing about the fires is California but nothing about the floods in Iowa. God bless the Iowans & God bless the USA!

this is so bad im so glad that guy rescued those kittens :)

these pictures are some of the best I've seen and it saddens me to see the devestation and losses in my home town of Cedar Rapids.
I live near Columbus Junction .....to the man who is worried that people who see these pictures will assume Iowa is inhabited by only white people...get over it!
In all of this mess, THAT'S your concern?? And anyway, that's an insult to the people who view the pictures. They're smarter than that.
I read about 10 of some of these comments and I just can't read any more; I just don't have the time to tell some people how ignorant they are being.
This was a natural disaster. The cities didn't cause it. The help that is being given by govt. at any level is just fine but let's be thankful for it rather than bitch for more.
How many of you who spent the time to write paragraph after paragraph complaining about how more help should be given and not enough people of color were shown has spent that much time helping a flood victim dig out of this mess?
Thanks for this blog and the pictures are absolutely wonderful.

I am from Iowa and live in Tempe AZ.. these pictures were so touching to me and brought tears to my eyes for my peeps back in Iowa. Iowans are a strong bunch of people and will recover, however comparing this to Katrina is not fair to the people that were in Katrina...
Our media chooses to portray what they want us to see. If we are foolish enough to not think people have stolen things in Iowa, think again. Thieves are thieves from ANYWHERE!!!! and when opportunity knocks they will all steal.
This comparison is wrong and there are people from churches in Mississippi preparing to go to Iowa to help right now!!!!
We can not judge anyone that has not lived their lives
Good Luck to all in Iowa you will come out better than before

I wish the best for the iowa farmers

I'm in Mason City and all of the flooding in Iowa pretty much started in this area on June 8th. I'm telling all of you it's a mess to go through and even though our town had the worst flooding it's ever had in history it wasn't as bad as Cedar Rapids and Iowa City had. It seemed like as the water went south the worse it got. I don't care that we lost material things I'm just glad that no one was killed. And as for the first picture...it IS a real picture but it's not a tornado. It was taken not too far from here and the meteorologist on tv explained what it was. A very awesome picture. (don't ask me what kind of cloud it is because I don't remember) We survived the flood of 2008!!

Thank you to all of you who have offered your encouragement!

I don't think a lot of people realize how devastating this really has been to this area. I have lived in this area my entire life and have NEVER seen anything like this. It began with a winter of record breaking snow fall. Snow piled everywhere. It melted at a normal pace this spring with minimal flooding. Then the rains came. The ground was already soaked from the snow melt. We had record rain falls on top of the winter snow falls. Some days 5-6 inches of rain in a few hours in some spots in Northern Iowa. When it became obvious we would have flooding, people began to prepare. Moving things from basements etc. Record flooding from 1993 taught us a lot, and there were even still around who remembered 1929 which saw the Cedar River at it's all time high point. HOWEVER, the rains continued and the river kept rising. Almost 10 FT above where it had ever been before, 10FT!!!!!! That is why this was so devastating. There is no way to prepare for this! No way to even begin to imagine this. People were flooded who live outside of the 500 year flood plane of the Cedar River!! People not even in a flood zone were hit by this. To talk about moving away, or not to build here is just stupid!

Please think twice about how you criticize people and their life choices. Iowa is so beautiful, safe, clean, intelligent, hardworking, and decent. Please don't criticize the people of this place. Or any other place. People love their home! Find a way to help them! Offer support, prayers, and encouragement------but keep the negativity away-- We don't care for that here in Iowa and have no use for it!

Bloody Hell! I am from the U.K, but have closed friend in the USA, our thoughts are with you all, lets hope you get all the help you need.xxx

I wpild like to know how many foreign countries have offered aid?
I pray all are safe and everyone gets the help they need.

MY heart and prayer to all that are effected.....................May god protected all walks of life.

I have some questions;

Where is the media coverage New Orleans received?

Why isn't the media telling you President Bush and Sen. McCain went to visit? They did.

Where are those celebrities?

Where are the telethons?

Were these people too quiet and law abiding by not looting flat screen tv's and sneakers?

Was it because they weren't standing on their roof tops or shooting at the hellicopters who came to help?

Was it because most of them were smart enough to leave in time?

Why are there no complaints about FEMA now?

Why aren't they being relocated?

Where are their buses, their hotels?

Where are Sean Penn and the Dixie Chics?

Why isn't Kenye West complaining about how much George Bush hates white people?

Could it be that the world is so screwed up, that we find ourselves justified in seeing the differences in people only when their pain applies to our own skin color?

Why is it such a double standard?

And why are we bending over and taking it?

I can't believe that all this is going on and I don't see it is not shoved down my throat like the flooding in New Orleans was. Do you all remember the coverage on that? I am sick to my stomach. The media is completely useless. We need our own cameras and our own videos to create our own stories, just so we can tell it like it really is, not how they wish us to see it. Thank you for these pictures. I hope people out there do their part to help these people. I know I am.

I'm from Michigan, "The Great Lakes State", but I have to say I've never seen anything like that here in Michigan. My heart, prayers, and best wishes go out to all of you. Let's pray you'll be able to look back on this and be full of stories to pass on to the next generations. God speed.

As a former Iowan I send my prayers & love to all who have lost their homes & belongings. I now live in Tennessee & 2 years ago in Feb. 2006 my son & his wife along with my husband & myself lost our homes to a tornado. I cried for days about the "things" I could never replace, Pictures, cherished items from our deceased parents etc. The very same year my son came down with a life threatening illness & after treatments that left us wondering if he'd made it to Christmas our prayers were answered & he went into remission in Feb 2007 a year after the tornado. That same year (2007) in April I had a stroke & in July my husband of 42 years was diagnosed with cancer. The following February (2008) my son & his wife lost most of their new home to another tornado & in March (2008) my spouse died from the cancer. What I'm trying to say is with the love of God in your life & the helping hand of your fellow Americans you will learn you will survive & not only that, you will be a better human being for all you have suffered & lost. I have also learned that family & friends will outlast any material things you may lose & the memories you have will take place of those "things". God Bless all of you & I will remember you in my prayers.
PS. My husband went to help New Orleans from Sept to Feb after Katrina & the stories he told were of all the love & faith the people he helped had for all the volunteers that were there to help them.

LORDY LORDY WHAT A MESS THERE WILL BE TPO CLEAN UP ,WISH I COULD BE THERE TO HELP BUT I AM IN NZ MAY THE ANGELS BE WITH EVERY ONE WHO HAS SUFFERED TO HELP THEM RECOVER I PRAY.

I feel as though we should all pray for those victims of this natural disaster, and that their needs be met by those who have been blessed. We must be grateful for all we have been given in ths world... take nothing or granted and cherish/share what we have, realizing this is a gift to us, whicdh we have been allowed to enjoy. Nothing is forever in this world, and we shoud not take for granted that which we have been given and have been allowed to have to enjoy during our journey through this life... we should share with those of us who are less fortunate than us.

And how precious the man helped the kitties who couldn't help themselves, just as we should help others when circumstances are beyond their control. We too can show acts of kindness to others in need due to circumstances beyond their control.

God Bless the people of Iowa and God Bless America! Land of the free because of the Brave! The rest of you "American haters" can kiss my American Ass.

Teodore #154...this is for you ...
¡Si usted no puede hablar mi idioma, consigue el JODE fuera de mi país que usted balbuceando a idiota!

Well..that wasn't exactly what I typed to Teodore...but he surely gets my meaning. Keep working together, Iowa...you were beautiful before and you will be beautiful again!

Sign of the times...although my prayers are with the people in need there, and everywhere, ALL of this is leading to an inevitable conclusion.

Believe what you may, but we need to live a life of goodness and expect the same in our government officials. Do not vote for anyone without morals.

We need to unite in order to rebuild as well as for every other reason. Too bad, we only act/care? about each other in times of trouble. We are all guilty of being too self absorbed.

Nothing should stop us from making changes. Not race, not lineage, nothing. Teach your kids NOW, and every generation after will prosper. Stop being selfish, help everyone you meet in some way. GOD BLESS

This is awful but that's what you get when you build in a flood plain!

I'M DOWN IN SOUTH TEXAS WHERE WE FEAR HURRICANES BUT THIS IS IN IOWA IS THE WORST...THOSE TOWNS NEED HELP FROM THE FED... WELL HELP 10 YRS AGO

good good whatever

We lived in Cedar Rapids in 1985 and did not return to visit until last year - exactly 12 months ago! Everything in CR was as organised, accessible and friendly in '07 as it was in '85. Seeing these photos is amazing and most distressing to the people of CR. Some of our friends were affected, others not at all.
Thanks for the photos.

Kind of shocking when you first see it then it is more like what is going on why all the water what did they do to deserve this.

Wow!!!! I feel sorry for these people !! I hope that recover comes quickly and
nature gives good back to these people. May
god watch over them!!

Thank you !!

I personally thank God that everyone is ok! And i am from South Dakota where it flooded very bad as well, and nothing!!! But dont you think that if it is flooding in a state above you, you would take a few more precautions???? Not only that but there was absolutly NOTHING about this flood in the media!! Just because South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska are not popular states, we still live here damn it!!!

wow

To Dan Zumbro: other countries ARE helping us! I'm from Marion (next door to Cedar Rapids) and I know someone who got a $500 check from the Taiwanese monks who flew here to disburse over $2 million in aid. I'm sure Ammachi, the "hugging saint" from India, has helped - she mobilized an immediate $1.5 mil to help Katrina victims. The Czechoslovakian government sent Cedar Rapids $1 mil to rebuild the National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library, as well as the businesses in the neighborhood. I'm sure there is much more we just haven't heard about. Even though I didn't lose anything in the floods, the help and compassion pouring in from around the country and world chokes me up. I wouldn't expect aid from China when their death toll is absolutely MASSIVE from the recent earthquake, but they may well have sent some. Have faith!

Kristen, you have a point, but please understand the waters flowed way past the 500-yr. flood plain! I don't believe Iowa has seen these levels in recorded history.

That was so Sad... The boy scouts were trapped in a camp in Iowa. how come we haven't heard more about it

To Kristen #645 ... Obviously never been to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, huh?
Come visit sometime and see just how far from the flood
plain there was devestationand just how high the water
was. A lot of the people who received major damage had
never even had a damp basement during normal annual
high water. Now their belongings and many of their homes
are gone. I don't think anyone deserves that.
Since I'm having to educate you about our area, maybe
you'd also like to know that a high percentage of the homes
in what IS considered flood plain are houses that were
built many yrs. ago for and by factory workers and were
in poor repair. Regardless of their condition, they were in-
habited by human beings who worked hard to call them
"home" for their families. Some of them may
never see it that good again. Their children have lost
their homes, their toys, their neighborhood, and everything
that made them feel secure. They deserve better than
"That's what you get."
Most of the people who lived in those homes didn't build
them and they lived in them out of necessity rather than
choice.
Now that you have a slight clue...have a heart too.

I wonder WHY you don't hear much about all the people who are still dealing with what the flood of Iowa left behind . Those people are still waiting for help that is so slowly coming. National news isn't covering it like Katerina was covered and maybe if they covered it or did continuing report ing they would get help quicker.

Okay, Felicia, what about the cat that jumped out of your cousin's arm; did he make it? I care deeply what happens to ALL the animals affected by these disasters. And of course my heart goes out to all the residents. This is devastating!

The tornado picture is the same picture a friend sent to me the morning after the Manhattan, Kansas disaster.

No one wonder that it will happen . I felt really bad . I am feeling bad for that city
------------------------
Abbulla

Mississippi Treatment Centers

It just amazes me how we pay so much attention to tragedies, around the world, and no one ever comes back to give positive updates. Next week there will be another big story and those who live in Iowa (in this case) will still have great needs but they are now "old news", and their no longer looked at as important. It's such a shame how the Media plays on our emotions, and how we treat or not treat each other. Does anyone know an address or number to call to find out where to send any type of donation to the Iowa victims???

you know i felt very sad when i saw these pictures.iam from Iraq i enjoy my time very much here in ur forum thanks so much

I lost my home to the flood I lost all my furniture and many personal items. all this isn't half as bad as the Waterloo city leaders and their lack of concern and attempt to not help anyone out in a buy out. Be aware of Waterloo leaders they are crooks.

Another example in response to the quesion "Why aren't other countries helping?": A large shipment of pasta was headed for Japan from the Dakotas, and the recipients in Japan asked for it to be routed to Iowa "because they need it more." (Can't find a link now mentioning Japan, but this might be the same pasta: http://www.kxmb.com/t/salvation-army/257076.asp)

Here is a link from Gov. Chet Culver's website on avenues to donate: http://www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/CashDonations/Default2.aspx?ST=Iowa#

Kisses from Iowa - thank you for helping.

we cannot win the nature but when we hurt these badly then nature is really rude. My prayers is always for affected people.

wow that was cool

www.2008flood.org is a great resource when looking to help Iowans who sustained flood damages

thx a lot u helped with my report=}

I look at these pictures and feel for the people who had to endure this flood. Living in the Houston area, I wonder....why did we not hear more about this horrible flood (we did hear some, but not enough). I am still hearing all about New Orleans. It seems to be a waste of tax dollars to continue to take care of those who would not care for themselves vs. those in Iowa who had to endure much the same as those in the path of Katrina. Don't get me wrong, I feel for those from Louisiana, Katrina was awful, but just look at these pictures. The folks in Iowa will be dealing with this for a very long time.

Was so sorry to hear of the devastation of the flood, but just love Fry and Bender and so happy to see them safe and sound.

Problems getting this out of my head landed me here, a great blog, and taking into consideration a smattering of ignorant remarks and the thread relatively updated, decided to post.

Citing statistics and and arguing about who had what time to get out or whatever is obviously a sucker-punch to victims in CR. What these message board renegades probably don't realize is the disservice they do to the Katrina victims as well. Go ahead, walk up to a survivor in NO and tell them how you went all out about CR residents suffering less than they did via internet. Do you want, what, a pat on the back? A high five? I'm sure somebody who has been through that much suffering, trauma and loss will appreciate your effort. Case in point is NO got hit with something that redefines insanity and 36,000 people in Iowa simply joined them.

Put down the almanac, grab a dictionary, look up *perspective*. A 90-10 majority here already practice the term but it's gotten ridiculous, regardless.

cool website

I hate floods!

The cats are cute

I don't think most Americans know how many fellow Americans are hurting from the mother nature storms, floods, mudslides, fires etc.all across our country. Add this to the greedy mortgage /real estate crooks preying on inocent homebuyers, add this to losing our kids to the Bush Oil War etc...THE SOLUTION? I am sick to hear our so called leaders are giving WALL STREET seven hundred billion dollars and more. They should go to jail.. all of them. I doubt if any of the people hurting in the interior of our country will see a dime of that money. But they will have to pay it back.
I doubt if any of the presidential candidates will be able to FIX this country.

Some of those pictures are amazing!

i feel so bad for people who have to go there for a nice life and then their home are lost and many lifes and familys are lost thats soooooooo sad i feel so so so very bad for the poeple who lost love ones how can thay stop the floods that happen? if you know send your anwser to this address aangel7448@yahoo.com thank you!
:( !

they were good picturs

Hello.I am a Cedar Rapids flood victim.Though I lived outside the 500 year flood plain my house still ended up with 5 feet of water in the basement.
Half a block away most every one ended up with water in the upper floors of thier houses and worse.The neighborhood looked like a war zone.My house is luckily back to normal now.
Just a little info should the same thing happen to you someday.
If you are a flood victim homeowner,register with FEMA immediately.They came through rather quickly for me with an adequate amount of money.
If you own rental property,FEMA gives you nothing.If you are a renter,you get very little if any thing from FEMA as well.Therefore,get sewer backup insurance and flood insurance if you are a landlord.Otherwise,sadly,FEMA will deny your claim and you will be on your own.

Haha- did anyone else catch that the man's cats names are "Fry" and "Bender"?? Like from Futurama!?!? O wow... maybe i'm the only one that thought that was funny. Great (though depressing) photos.

i am doing a project on flooding that is amazing i am using some of that as my info i like the tornado picture

well alll i gotta say is that iss reallyyyyy realllyyyyyy sad! and that if i was in a flood and i was already saved that i would swimmm home and save my cat! and is there floods in south carolina????? jw!

omg its kirsten again and yeah i am doing a project to for natural distasters and this is exaclty what i was looking for! yay:] thanks and jw why where those guys walking during the flood i would be on anybodys house idc

wow this is so sad. i couldnt believe what it would be like to actually be there! the amount of people that die from these is incredble. the only thing that i have to say is that; that is realllly reallllly sad. i am doing a project on natural disaters and this website has really helped me.