Iowa

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 »

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 »

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 »

June 16, 2008 -- (JOHNSTON) – At a press conference today held at the Joint Forces Headquarters, Iowa Lt. Governor Patty Judge confirmed today that a flood-related fatality occurred in Louisa County bringing the death toll to five. The body of a 35-year-old man was found Sunday in flood waters.

With response efforts continuing along the Mississippi River in Davenport, Burlington and Keokuk, Lt. Governor Patty Judge told reporters today that many areas of Iowa are starting down the long road to recovery. And, she said, resources are being provided to aid individual Iowans as well as communities.    » read more »

Overnight Efforts Focus On Security, Bolstering Levees

JOHNSTON – With flood waters to the north receding and recovery efforts underway there, communities in the extreme southeast portion of Iowa were bracing early Monday for river crests still to occur.

Flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, June 2008: Photo by Louis (CC)

Gov. Chet Culver is scheduled to make stops today in Ottumwa, Keokuk, Burlington and Columbus Junction, meeting with residents, emergency responders and volunteers to assess first-hand what assistance is needed.    » read more »

June 15, 2008 -- JOHNSTON - Below is the latest update on flooding in Iowa.

I. AREAS OF CONCERN
*NEW* Waterloo
Due to overnight severe weather in Northeastern Iowa, there are power outages in Black Hawk County.

Des Moines
750 National Guard soldiers are currently deployed in Des Moines.

Last night a levee breach in Des Moines’ Birdland Park Neighborhood resulted in the evacuation of more than 200 homes.

North High School is flooded.

Reported numbers in shelters by American Red Cross: Harding Middle School, 40 people; Callanan School, 5 people

Coralville
Members of the Coast Guard Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) assisted with getting recreational boats and three people out of the water in Coralville.

Iowa City    » read more »

Announce creation of www.flood2008.iowa.gov as a resource for latest information on flooding

June 15, 2008 -- JOHNSTON – Today at the Joint Forces Headquarters, Iowa Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Judge announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a Presidential Disaster Declaration for individual assistance for 6 new Iowa counties – Cedar, Jones, Louisa, Muscatine, Polk, and Winneshiek

Iowa River flooding, Amana, Iowa: Photo by BitHead (CC)    » read more »

June 15, 2008 -- Paris, France -- THE PRESIDENT: Laura and I had the joy of worshiping here in Paris. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who are suffering from the floods in our country; I know there's a lot of people hurting right now and I hope they're able to find some strength in knowing that there is love from a higher being.

President George W. Bush and Laura Bush: President George W. Bush and Laura Bush talk with reporters after attending Sunday morning church service at the American Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Paris June 15, 2008. White House photo by Eric Draper

Also I want to wish all the fathers in America happy Father's Day. So Dad, if you're listening, happy Father's Day.    » read more »

15 June 2008 -- Rain-swollen rivers in parts of the central U.S. state of Iowa are beginning to recede, as residents try to get their first close-up look at devastation left behind by several days of flooding. Governor Chet Culver says the flooding has caused "massive" losses totaling in the billions of dollars.

Coast Guard assists with Iowa flooding, June 2008: Photo by Coast Guard News (CC)    » read more »

Relief efforts underway throughout Midwest, but also in West Virginia

WASHINGTON -- June 09, 2008 -- Storms and heavy rainfall have caused serious flash flooding in already saturated areas of the central United States. In response, the American Red Cross has mobilized relief workers to six states in the devastated areas.

Flooded midwestern home: Photo by cabakus (CC)

Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss.    » read more »

39 counties now under a Governor’s Emergency Proclamation

June 9, 2008 -- (DES MOINES) - Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver added eight counties to the list of counties that have been proclaimed emergency disaster areas. The additional counties are: Mitchell, Clayton, Kossuth, Wright, Hamilton, Bremer, Linn, and Iowa.

The list previously included: Fremont, Page, Montgomery, Adams, Union, Clarke, Marion, Johnson, Jasper, Polk, Dallas, Crawford, Boone, Story, Marshall, Tama, Benton, Dubuque, Delaware, Buchanan, Blackhawk, Hardin, Webster, Humboldt, Franklin, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Chickasaw, Winneshiek and Worth.    » read more »

Will accept award on behalf of IDED

June 3, 2008 -- HOUSTON, TX – Tonight, during a special award ceremony, Iowa Governor Chet Culver will receive the 2008 State Leadership Award from the American Wind Energy Association. The Governor will accept the award on behalf of the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) for their work to promote wind energy throughout the state.

Iowa wind turbines: Photo by Mark Evans (CC)    » read more »

Action comes after severe weather moved through the state overnight

May 30, 2008 -- DES MOINES – Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver has issued a disaster proclamation for Dubuque and Marion Counties following a series of severe storms that moved through the state last night.

Flooding in Ames, Iowa, May 30, 2008: Photo by Sarah Serendipity (CC)

"For the second time in less than a week, severe storms have once again hit our state," said Governor Culver. "State government stands ready to do its part to help those individuals in Dubuque and Marion Counties who have been affected by these storms.”    » read more »

May 27, 2008 -- President Bush signs a Major Declaration for the state of Iowa (Butler County) for Individual Assistance, emergency protective measures, limited to Direct Federal Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation statewide within hours after receiving the Governor’s request for an expedited declaration. FEMA continues to monitor the severe storms and tornadoes across the nation and work with federal, state and local partners to identify needs and resources needed to respond to respond to them.

Region 7/Iowa:

* FEMA Liaison deployed to State EOC.
* Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRC) deploying to Parkersburg, IA from Joplin, MO to provide a command and control platform for FEMA responders.    » read more »