Flooding

MADISON, Wis., June 23, 2008 -- Regardless of where they live, Wisconsin residents with storm damage who have applied for federal disaster assistance may visit any Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).

Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) now have seven DRCs open in storm-damaged southern Wisconsin counties (see attached listing) and will open more in the near future.    » read more »

DES MOINES, Iowa, June 23, 2008 -- The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) today announced the opening of a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Cedar Rapids. The center is specifically designed to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by the flooding.

“Due to the severe property damage and economic loss these floods inflicted on businesses in Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet,” said Steven Smith, Chief of the Executive Office of Disaster Strategic Planning and Operations. “This center will provide a single one-stop location for businesses to access a variety of specialized help,” he added.    » read more »

Kansas City, Kan., June 23, 2008 -- EPA Region 7 is dispatching two three-person water emergency response groups to Iowa to assist the Iowa Department of Natural Resources with assessing public water treatment facilities damaged in the Iowa floods.

EPA groups will provide technical expertise to assist communities in assessing the need for repair of local drinking water systems and wastewater systems.

The teams will work directly with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to provide technical assessments. The technical assessments allow IDNR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide assistance to communities with repairs to their water treatment systems.

EPA groups will be working with the IDNR field offices in Manchester and Washington.    » read more »

Kansas City, Kan., June 23, 2008 -- Flood water samples taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency within the city limits of Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Hamburg, and Burlington, Iowa, showed numbers of fecal coliform bacteria exceeding the health-based level of concern. The level of concern is 200 colony forming units (cfu) per 100 milliliters (ml). The sampling results ranged between 270 cfu/100 ml and 68,000 cfu/100 ml. The highest end of the range was found only in the Cedar Rapids area and it is believed to be associated with the fact that the wastewater treatment plant is not operating.    » read more »

June 20, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) joined members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation today in sending a letter to the President in support of Governor Rod Blagojevich's request for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for the 21 Illinois counties affected by severe flooding.

Illinois flooding, June 2008: Photo by Jim Simonson (CC)    » read more »

Focus Turns To Recovery In Some Areas In The Midwest

June 17, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Preparedness activities by federal, state and local authorities are focusing on the areas between Quad Cities and St. Louis, Mo., with concerns high for Quincy, Ill., where flooding is expected to equal levels reached by the 1993 Midwest Flood. Planning is underway for potential major operations involving debris removal, hazardous materials cleanup, health and medical support, long-term transportation closures and housing.    » read more »

INDIANAPOLIS (06/16/2008) - Soldiers and Airmen from the Indiana National Guard began returning to home stations Sunday after spending eight days fighting floodwaters in southwest Indiana.

Sixty Soldiers from Joint Task Force-81 will remain behind in the vicinity of East Mount Carmel and New Harmony, Ind., working with local responders to observe the water level at local levees.    » read more »

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Army National Guard flew one of its CH-47 Chinook helicopters into Cedar Rapids on Monday to help the town turn its water back on. The massive helicopters were used to pluck seven electrical pumps from a well field in Northwest Cedar Rapids still under water. Water receded enough by Saturday for the pumps to be above water.

National Guard flood relief, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: An employee from the Cedar Rapids Water Utility prepares to attach a lift cable from an Iowa Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook to a damaged water pump on the Iowa River near Cedar Rapids, Iowa. U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt Jack Braden    » read more »

Iowa Delegation joins Harkin in urging Bush to grant 60-day waiver for state matching funds for emergency protective measures and debris removal

June 17, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) was joined by Iowa’s Congressional Delegation in urging the President to waive for 60 days the percentage of matching funds the state must contribute to qualify for federal disaster assistance concerning emergency protective measures and debris removal. The current White House took similar action to aid Louisiana and Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina to lower the in-kind matching requirement for the period immediately following the hurricane.    » read more »

June 17, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today sent a letter to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Jim Nussle, asking his support for the inclusion of emergency funds in the 2008 Supplemental Appropriations bill to ensure critical relief is provided to the areas affected by the recent storms and subsequent flooding of the Mississippi River and its tributaries.    » read more »

June 17, 2008 -- THE PRESIDENT: I've just assembled my -- many people on my domestic policy team to discuss the current flooding in the Midwest. Of course, our hearts and thoughts go to those who lost life. And of course, we're concerned about those whose -- who lost their homes or lost their businesses.

George W. Bush offers media a photo opportunity on Midwest flood relief: White House photo

I've been briefed by Secretary Chertoff and Secretary Schafer and Director Paulison about the response. First task at hand is to deal with the flood waters, to anticipate where the flooding may next occur, and to work with the state and local authorities to deal with the response.    » read more »

June 17, 2008 -- BURLINGTON - Vermont State officials are advising residents in southern Vermont, including the City of Rutland, affected by flash flooding over the weekend to take special precautions to prevent illness and injury.

More rain is forecast this week and additional flooding may result where the ground is saturated with water. Stay tuned to local media for updates and safety instructions.

• Always leave flooded areas and never walk or drive through floodwaters. If you need to evacuate your home, always turn off power at the circuit breaker – if there is time.    » read more »

State Officials Update Iowans On Flooding Situation

June 17, 2008 -- (Johnston) - Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver announced that FEMA has approved a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Allamakee, Des Moines, Fremont, and Harrison Counties.They have been approved for individual assistance, and Clayton County for both individual and public assistance.

Flooded Iowa house: Photo by talkradionews (CC)

In addition, Adams, Linn, Winnesheik, Grundy, Howard, Iowa, Marshall, Mitchell, Ringgold, Worth, and Wright were approved for public assistance under a Presidential Disaster Declaration.    » read more »

Applauds Conservation Police Officers For Assisting With Rescues Following Levee Failure; Approximately 60,000 gallons of water being sent to Galesburg

June 17, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today activated an additional 400 Illinois National Guard troops to assist with flood efforts along the Mississippi River, bringing the total troops engaged in the flood fight to 1,100. A State helicopter and additional rescue personnel are on stand-by for any additional emergency situations such as a levee break.    » read more »

June 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – After traveling to several Illinois communities to assess storm damage and help with flood preparations, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today went to the floor of the Senate to commend the residents, volunteers, emergency workers and more than 400 members of the Illinois National Guard who are working to brace Illinois for the floodwaters.

Senator Durbin also spoke of the need for federal help as the resources in the state can not absorb the severity of the flood.    » read more »