Given the frequency and magnitude of most natural disasters lately, you will agree with me that nature seems to be angry at how and how we abuse the environment. Some will say it is a sign of the end of time. It is sad to see millions of people affected by natural disasters, such as Myanmar Cyclone Nargis, Hurricane Katrina, the Chinese earthquake, and more recently the flood in Iowa.
The floods in Iowa, which devastated the city in June 2008, left hundreds of homeless families, businesses closed, and the rest of the city strained its infrastructure in ruins. As soon as the water subsides, there will be many questions to ask: why did the army corps and the USGS not accurately predict the flow of water into the reservoir? Why didn't the city give homeowners the time it took to save their belongings? Where was the foresight after the record snowfall to empty the reservoir to an earlier date? These questions are asked, but where are the answers?
In Cedar Rapids after the Cedar River receded, many residents had the opportunity to look at their houses destroyed by floods. The city has created several checkpoints leading to flooded neighborhoods. At one on First Avenue, not far from one of the most heavily damaged sections of the city, residents waited for the National Guard to visit their homes, where the water had completely receded. They could check the damage, but they could only bear what they could carry on foot.
Some of the people who returned were in tears. Dan Bowers was one of those who waited in line for half a block or so. He said that when he evacuated on Wednesday evening, he had no idea that the flood would be so bad. “I moved everything from the basement to the first floor,” he said. "My house has never been flooded before, and therefore I thought it would save everything."
But then he saw the video on TV on a boat passing through deep water next door. He thought he had lost everything. “All my furniture, all my paintings, personal belongings, clothes, household appliances,” he said. Replacing these items, as well as repairing flood damage or restoring, if necessary, will not be easy for Bowers. “Most of the damage was done in areas without flooding, where there is no insurance,” he said. "I know that I did not have flood insurance."
Probably thousands of other people in the same situation in Cedar Rapids, promising to make the process of rebuilding the city much more difficult. Bowers, a life-long resident, said he probably had some years before his city returned to normal.
A disaster such as the flood in Iowa will continue. This is what we call acts of nature. The question we must ask ourselves now is, “How prepared are we when the next catastrophe comes?
My thoughts and prayers go to all families affected by the floods in Iowa.
Now is the time to consider insuring your homeowners or flood insurance, or both. Most quotes are free and online. Do not delay. Act today.
