Midwest sings the blues of muddy waters

Powell may be high and dry, still. Even after all of that rain we got in the end of May. Unfortunately, the rain clouds that passed over our little part of the world followed the jet stream to the Midwest.

They let loose.

Anyone watching, listening to, or reading national news knows that the rain waters led to a devastating flood. Some media outlets called it the “Katrina of the Midwest.” If the floods are going to impact this area it means higher gas and corn prices. Not much to fret about, until we count the number of people in Wyoming, and even Powell, that come from Iowa and other Midwestern states and still have family there.

Family and friends are my connection. I recently graduated from The University of Iowa. Most of my extended family lives along the Des Moines River. My half-sister has to replace the hard wood floors in the ballrooms at her dance studio. My former roommate, still attending the UI, has nothing to do with her time now. She can’t attend class or work at Walgreen’s (You may have seen photos of the Walgreen’s store in Coralville that was almost under water, that’s the one, bottom right). Before the water level fell her free-time was spent sand bagging around Iowa City. After a few days of volunteering she tried to head home to Illinois but had to turn back because I-80 was closed, rather under water.

Though the flood waters are receding, but the problems aren't over yet. Residents and business owners are just getting back to their property. Some have to wear hip waders to reach their front doors, while the lucky ones are trudging around in muddy sneakers and rubber boots.

Now is the time to see what’s left of personal belongings, if buildings can be salvaged or, if foundations have been ravaged, how long it will take to build a new house or move on. People hoping to save their homes are going through some rigorous summer cleaning—taking wheelbarrow load after load of mud, sediment, drowned earthworms and whatever else the floods might have left in their living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms.

Just because the waters are going down, doesn’t mean that as we, outsiders, we can just turn away.

It’s not over.

There are several relief organizations still looking for help.

Photos contributed by Lizzy Christian of The University of Iowa campus during the flood June 12 and 13.