Cedar Rapids Flood
The eastern Iowa city of Cedar Rapids experienced its worst flooding in history in June 2008. By June 16, 2008, more than 36,000 people had been evacuated from their homes in Iowa, and 24,000 in Cedar Rapids.1
Once the floodwaters began to recede, some residents were allowed back into the area on June 17, 2008, to check on homes and businesses. Cedar Rapids officials said property damage in the town could exceed $1 billion.2
Fast Facts
- Flood evacuations began in Cedar Rapids on June 12, 20081
- Some residents allowed back into town on June 17, 2008
- Officials estimated 3,900 homes damaged by flooding2
- 1,300 city blocks submerged at the height of the flooding3
- Property damage could exceed $1 billion2
- Floods displaced 24,000 people in Cedar Rapids1
- Many residents were rescued by boat
- 167 patients evacuated from Mercy Medical Center in downtown Cedar Rapids4
- Water flooded the hospital's basement4
- Nine rivers in Iowa were at or above flood stage at one point5
- Large percentage of Iowa counties declared state disaster areas1
- Evacuations also ordered in Des Moines, Iowa
Quotes
"We are seeing a historic hydrological event taking place with unprecedented river levels occurring. We're in uncharted territory — this is an event beyond what anybody could even imagine."—Brian Pierce5
"The rest of the levees in the city have not broken down but the problem is the water went way up over the top — well over a foot over the top of the levees. It's a 500-year flood and it just overwhelmed us."— Dave Koch6
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