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)

"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)