Hi~ I just wanted to blog quick to let those of you know, we are all alright here. As I believe most of the country knows, and as many of you have called us~ THANK YOU for all your thoughts & prayers! Here in Eastern Iowa, we are being hit hard by major, major flooding. It really is truly unbelievable, we are not only breaking flood records, but we are shattering them! It is a historic & catastrophic event. Unbelievable to say the least. The Cedar River (in Cedar Rapids) flood stage is set at 12 feet...it crested yesterday at 31.12 feet! The good news for CR is....it has been falling today.
This tragedy is hitting too close to home. Not only is it hitting cities we grew up in or close to, but it hit D.J.'s mom's (Sharon / Nanna) house. We are not sure of the damage yet, but we know it filled her basement & is on the main floor~ we are just hoping only a couple feet onto the main floor. Sharon received a phone call Wednesday morning at 4:00am that she needed to evacuate her home. She did as she was told & grabbed necessities. Her legal documents, valuables, pictures, medicines & clothing for a few days. She has been here with us for the past few days, watching the news~ that is all that is on, it's depressing, but also very hard to shut it off. Being here with us she does have some relief~ the kiddos that can make her smile & see the bright side of life. She is hoping to get to her house tomorrow to assess the damages & then we'll head in to begin clean up, which we know is going to be a very long & hard process, but we are all ok & everything else is material & can be replaced. Sharon has lived in her home for over 40 years & our blood, sweat & tears will put it back together once again. It'll be better than before!
This tragedy is hitting too close to home. Not only is it hitting cities we grew up in or close to, but it hit D.J.'s mom's (Sharon / Nanna) house. We are not sure of the damage yet, but we know it filled her basement & is on the main floor~ we are just hoping only a couple feet onto the main floor. Sharon received a phone call Wednesday morning at 4:00am that she needed to evacuate her home. She did as she was told & grabbed necessities. Her legal documents, valuables, pictures, medicines & clothing for a few days. She has been here with us for the past few days, watching the news~ that is all that is on, it's depressing, but also very hard to shut it off. Being here with us she does have some relief~ the kiddos that can make her smile & see the bright side of life. She is hoping to get to her house tomorrow to assess the damages & then we'll head in to begin clean up, which we know is going to be a very long & hard process, but we are all ok & everything else is material & can be replaced. Sharon has lived in her home for over 40 years & our blood, sweat & tears will put it back together once again. It'll be better than before!
Here are some photos DJ & Sharon got today. It was this morning they decided to drive as close to Sharon's house as they could & see things for themselves. They could only get pictures of the garage & one corner where you can see a couple of evergreen trees she has planted. You can see on the garage doors that the water is going down. 
Here are some photos, most aerial views that I got off the internet. Like I said it is just truly unbelievable!
Here is an aerial view of Cedar Rapids.
Here is the Czech Slovak Museum, which is near Sharon's home.
Downtown Cedar Rapids
The Linn County Courthouse and May's Island are under water
Floodwater of the Cedar River surrounds the Quaker Oats plant
Just trying to sit down & write about it is very hard, sad, unbelievable! My thoughts & prayers go out to everyone touched by this horrific event. If you can, please get out and volunteer or donate. Many people are in need. Thank you!
Here is a photo of Mercy Hospital, 8 blocks from the river. On Thursday night/Friday morning Mercy Hospital had to be evacuated. How do you evacuate a hospital~ unbelievable!! 
I believe this is a photo of Interstate 80 that is closed due to flooding.
As for Iowa City, they are bracing for the worst. The Iowa River is expected to crest Tuesday. It looks like the University of Iowa, its residents, and businesses in the area will be hit hard!
The Coralville strip is under water yesterday, after a levee was breached Thursday night.
The Coralville strip is under water yesterday, after a levee was breached Thursday night.
Water pours over the Coralville Reservoir spillway yesterday.
Just trying to sit down & write about it is very hard, sad, unbelievable! My thoughts & prayers go out to everyone touched by this horrific event. If you can, please get out and volunteer or donate. Many people are in need. Thank you!You can go to KCRG for information to donate or volunteer.
