The Iowa Floods are officially over.

[Condem]

Today, the Iowa River dropped below flood level. One month above it.

[uppityperson]

1. Yeah! Congratulations Iowa! So, since it's dropped off the news, how is it going over there?

I haven't a whole lot to offer, but do have some. What can I do to help? Are people needed, supplies, mucking/repairing, food?

Edited to add this link and thing about Americorp
http://www.whotv.com/global/story.asp?s=8631445

July 7, 2008--For the first time in thirty days the Iowa River will fall below flood stage. Some time tonight the river is expected to dip below 22 feet and keep falling. The Iowa River reached a record high of more than 31 feet on June 16.

Even though the rivers are falling the cleanup for the floods of 2008 will continue for some time.

Governor Chet Culver asks that Iowans help out with the flood recovery by joining Americorps. In the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area, there are more than 200 positions available. Most of the positions are eight weeks, but some are one-year commitments.

Americorp members will help clean up damaged buildings, remove debris and rebuild what's been destroyed. Culver encourages everyone from college students to recent retirees to get involved.

[Condem]

2. uppity - thanks for asking

that's a tough call. Like any major disaster, a lot of sorrow here. In some cases, it looks good, but looks aren't everything as you know. We're getting government assistance, professional muckers are here, Red Cross, FEMA, the drill. In Iowa City, so much of the damage was to the campus and local businesses, that it's hard to know how to help. Cedar Rapids is different. There is heartbreak everywhere. Over 4,000 middle to low income households lost everything. With little hope of enough of anything to ever dig them out.

[uppityperson]

3. Maybe it come time to put out a "want to spend your August in Iowa" call.

Or sept, maybe winter break from college, though it may be a bit weathery there then. Spring break sounds like a possibility. Organize through colleges, but that is a ways away and right now is now.

How about some bubble bath, but then maybe just have showers if lucky. Bug dope and steel toed sandals?

[Condem]

4. uppity

this is a tough thing for me to say. Where is Obama? Without Iowa, he's nothing. I'm not privy to the politics of a disaster, but these people need a shot in the arm. Many of these folks who lost everything- caucused for him.

[CatholicEdHead]

5. Slight rise coming

Northern Iowa got a bit more rain tonight which will go downstream.