Well, flood waters are supposed to peak in Iowa City and its "suburb;" Coralville, today. Barring more rain. And it rained more yesterday. The campus has been hard-hit, with the student union, journalism building, main library, art museum, theater building and Hancher Auditorium all flooded. The flood of 1993 hit the 100 year flood plain mark - water so high that you'd expect a flood that severe only once in 100 years. This flood has hit the 500 year flood plain.
My mom and sisters are well away from the river, but live in a low-lying neighborhood. Their basements will stay dry only as long as there is electricity to run the sump pumps. The worst impact is drinking water - the water treatment plant is under water, as are the bulk of the well pump houses.
The local paper has scads of photos for those interested: Iowa City Press Citizen (http://http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage)
This has been a catastrophe across many states this past week, but Iowa in particular. I don't know if everyone is fully aware of the magnitude of devastation, but it's vast and horrible. Truly troubling times for all of those poor people :(. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who are effected both directly and indirectly.
EC
What's causing it? Just lots of rain?
Quote from: captainspud on June 16, 2008, 10:07:46 AM
What's causing it? Just lots of rain?
Yep. A lot of snow in late winter, a cool rainy, spring and a very early, very strong start to the summer storm season.