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• 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.CNN: troops keep residents from flooded Iowa homes(June 16, 2008)

  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.DesMoinesRegister.com: Flood Slows Flow of Traffic Across Iowa-Illinois... (June 18, 2008)

• Fast Facts

  1. Flood evacuations began in Cedar Rapids on June 12, 2008CNN: Flooding Batters Iowa, Forces Evacuations (June 13, 2008)
  2. Some residents allowed back into town on June 17, 2008
  3. Officials estimated 3,900 homes damaged by floodingDesMoinesRegister.com: Flood Slows Flow of Traffic Across Iowa-Illinois... (June 18, 2008)
  4. 1,300 city blocks submerged at the height of the floodingThe Associated Press: Cedar Rapids Flood Recedes But Cleanup Remains (June 15, 2008)
  5. Property damage could exceed $1 billionDesMoinesRegister.com: Flood Slows Flow of Traffic Across Iowa-Illinois... (June 18, 2008)
  6. Floods displaced 24,000 people in Cedar RapidsCNN: troops keep residents from flooded Iowa homes(June 16, 2008)
  7. Many residents were rescued by boat
  8. 167 patients evacuated from Mercy Medical Center in downtown Cedar Rapids*The Associated Press: Rising Water Forces Evacuation of Iowa Hospital (June 13, 2008)
  9. Water flooded the hospital's basement*The Associated Press: Rising Water Forces Evacuation of Iowa Hospital (June 13, 2008)
  10. Nine rivers in Iowa were at or above flood stage at one point*The Associated Press: Cedar Rapids Struggles to Endure Historic Flood (June 13, 2008)
  11. Large percentage of Iowa counties declared state disaster areasCNN: troops keep residents from flooded Iowa homes(June 16, 2008)
  12. 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 Pierce*The Associated Press: Rising Water Forces Evacuation of Iowa Hospital (June 13, 2008)

  "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 KochFOX News: Flooding Hits Historic 500-Year Levels in Iowa (June 13, 2008)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Midwest Flooding June 2008 | Des Moines Flood Evacuations | Iowa

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