Sounds like trouble up north, in Mason City, etc.

[Bluzmann57]

This relates to the thread earlier about all the damn rain and flooding going on. It sounds like some levees have broken and Mason City, Decorah, and a few other places up that way are having trouble. So I ask, as DUers and fellow Iowans, should we try and organize a fund or a volunteer clean up crew to help out? I am inexperienced at getting something like this together, but I feel as Iowans, we should do something to help our fellow Iowans. Culver likely will declare the area a disaster area if he hasn't yet, and dispatch the National Guard to help out. But Iowans help each other out. Ah hell, I'm getting repetitous now so I guess I'll go.

[Blue Gardener]

1. Still calling for help sandbagging in Iowa City/Coralville too

Also Cedar Rapids and Palo. They just said on the news that up to 75% of the town of Palo could get flooded. This really sucks.

[Tashca]

2. I want to help

I sandbagged in 93 and a few years later (don't remember the year)in Columbus Jct. The local radio station had information on where to go..
I don't listen to much radio or watch TV....I would like to know where they may need some help. I'm older and maybe not great help, but I'll do my best. I'm driving myself crazy with nothing to do right now because of the rain.
If anyone knows where to look or where to go.....post it here please..

[Blue Gardener]

5. This is the information for Iowa City and Cedar Rapids

http://www.icgov.org/default/?id=1874

I believe in Cedar Rapids they sandbaggers are to go to the Public Works Dept. at 1201 6th Street SW.

http://www.cedar-rapids.org/community/NewsDetail.asp?NewsID=953

[Tashca]

6. Thank you for the info.

I got my work done early while listening to the radio.....I decided to head to Palo. I guess in Cedar Rapids there was so much help they were stepping on each other.
I'm not completely clear on this.....but it seems they are saying Palo residential area can't be saved with anticipation of 3/4th's of the houses being flooded. The sand bagging was being done to protect the water supply....sewer system and telephone service. Most likely other essential services too.
I heard later that the Mayor of Vinton is begging for help....then I heard they gave up on part of the town and are evacuating....I haven't had time to listen to the news so you probably know more than I.
Our crest is suppose to hit Thursday...........from the sounds of what's coming.....calling this a disaster might be an understatement.
Again thank you!!

:toast:

[Debi]

3. My grandparents all live in Mason City

w/my folks in Montana they've been getting reports from my Uncle. He brought bottled water and jugs of water to them b/c their water has been turned off. Neither of their homes are under water but I heard that East Park and parts of Federal are under.

Here in CF it's crazy - we were able to get home but parts of Beaver Valley road are wet and Cedar Wapsie is under water (only one way into the Debi household now...if Union Road goes under it'll only be by boat!).

Link to photos from Lee ent. (CF/New Hartford/Mason City pics) http://www.courierwebcasts.com/play.php?vid_id=1008&file=060808flooding/soundslider.swf

[Hardrada]

4. If I didn't have to keep the @#$!%* water out of my basement

I would pitch in over in Iowa City. I have things under control now but have to keep a sharp eye and a ready water vac. Hopefully we will get a breather of a few days, a few hot very dry days! Normally all is OK here but the ground is just saturated at present.

[rurallib]

7. just looked at the radar and it looks like an isolated t-storm by Mason City

The Gazette noted today that the "Iowa National Guard is not at full strength since some of the troops and equipment are in Iraq." Sweet jesus.

BTW my SIL is from Garner and she always refers to Mason City as just "Mason". Is that common up there?

[emmadoggy]

8. Yep. Just shorter and easier to say.

Just like Rochester (MN) is "Roch". :-)