Cedar Rapids Members Wade Into Floods

June 13, 2008 – Fire fighters across the Midwest are working overtime in their communities and providing mutual aid to others in the aftermath of severe weather conditions. One of the worst hit areas is Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Rising water from the Cedar River forced the City of Cedar Rapids to call for a mandatory evacuation, as well as the evacuation of the downtown hospital.

Cedar Rapids Local 11’s Central Fire Station is just a stone’s throw from the Cedar River. “When we heard the rising water was going to be an issue, we immediately began evacuating the station and relocating apparatus,” says Rickie Scofield, president of Cedar Rapids Local 11 and secretary-treasurer of the Iowa Professional Fire Fighters. “It’s a good thing we did because it is almost completely submerged.”

As water began to rise, Local 11 fire fighters deployed its department’s boats and boats from surrounding fire departments and the Department of Natural Resources. “Despite the mandatory evacuation, many residents did not want to leave their homes,” says Scofield.

“Some had, but others remained determined to stay in their homes. We will continue to monitor their safety,” he adds.

Rain is possible over the weekend in Cedar Rapids, but the water is not expected to rise much further. Forecasters are calling for sunny conditions next week, but it will take days for the Cedar River to return to normal levels.

Iowa Governor Chet Culver has declared Linn County, which includes Cedar Rapids, and 82 other Iowa counties state disaster areas. No deaths or serious injuries have been reported in Iowa as a result of the flooding, but many areas, including Des Moines, are still evacuating or sandbagging flood zone areas.

Two men have died in their cars in southern Minnesota and western lower Michigan. In Wisconsin, citizens are evacuating from their homes and businesses in Baraboo, Avoca and Fond du Lac.

Meanwhile, people in several northern Missouri communities are piling up sandbags to prepare for flooding of the Missouri River, which is expected to crest over the weekend, along with a more significant rise in the Mississippi River next week.

On June 11, 28 tornadoes were reported moving across Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota.

In Iowa, four people were killed and 48 injured when a tornado hit a Boy Scout camp in the western part of the state. The scouts were participating in a leadership training course at the Little Sioux Scout Ranch, about 40 miles north of Omaha, Nebraska.

Two fatalities were also reported in northern Kansas. One victim was found in a yard in Dickinson County. The other was found outside a mobile home in Jackson County.

IAFF leaders are working to determine how many IAFF members have been affected by the severe weather. If assistance is needed, the International is prepared to act immediately.

The IAFF makes financial assistance available through IAFF Disaster Relief Fund for members who suffer losses as a result of natural or man-made disasters.

Grant application forms are available from your district vice president or by contacting the IAFF Division of Occupational Health, Safety and Medicine at (202) 824-1571 or laaron@iaff.org.