Rebuilding & Protecting Our Flood Damaged Communities

Project: Behavioral Health Access Center Outpatient Assistance for Flood Victims

Recipient: St. Luke’s Hospital, Adult Behavioral Services

                   1026 A Avenue NE

                   Cedar Rapids, IA  52402-5036

Amount Requested: $450,000

Description:  According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental disorders are common in the United States and internationally. An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older — about one in four adults — suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. St. Luke's has the largest number of inpatient Behavioral Health beds in the state of Iowa, yet they still have a 4-6 week waiting list for appointments with psychiatrists, and the ER is screening a large amount of individuals who are not getting help elsewhere.  The funds I am requesting would help address the direct care needs of behavioral health patients that have arisen since the June 2008 flood by infusing more psychiatric RN's and Nurse Practitioners into the community via the St. Luke's Behavioral Access Center.  These individuals would make it possible to treat more patients in an outpatient setting and identify their health care needs early.  This may prevent the need for costlier treatment related to untreated health care problems in the future.

Project: Cedar Rapids Public Library Flood Recovery Project

Recipient: Cedar Rapids Public Library

                  Westdale Mall, 2600 Edgewood Road, SW

                  Cedar Rapids, IA  52404

Amount Requested: $500,000

Description:  The 2008 flood that hit Cedar Rapids, Iowa, destroyed the main library building and a great deal of the collection.  The library serves as a resource for the entire community, and is a great asset to our teachers, and students.  By equipping our local library, we give our students the tools they need to succeed and advance in a global, competitive world.  Since the flooding the library has re-opened but residents have been unable to access materials as quickly or efficiently as prior to the disaster because the library's Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) system was destroyed and the library can no longer offer advanced self-check-out and check-in systems.  These functions are being undertaken by library staff, which is an inefficient, slow and costly method of service delivery.  In addition, all library materials are vulnerable to theft due to the lack of a security system.  The requested funding would replace and upgrade the library's RFID system.  Labor costs will be reduced by once again offering automated check-out services to patrons, and materials purchased with tax dollars will be protected by the security component of the system.

Project: Cedar River Time Check Area, Cedar Rapids, IA

Recipient: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District

Clock Tower Building

PO Box 2004

Rock Island, IL 61204

Amount Requested: $3,352,000

Description:  The floods of last summer ravaged the Second District. Investing in flood preparation and planning not only creates and saves jobs at a time when the economy is in crisis, but also protects our schools, homes, and small businesses for the future. The funding would be used for an ongoing study to develop structural and nonstructural flood damage reduction alternatives in coordination with the city. The scope of the initial study has expanded to include both sides of the Cedar River from the Time Check area to downstream.

Project: Center for Flood Research and Education

Recipient: The University of Iowa

105 Jessup Hall

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa 52242

Amount Requested: $1,900,000

Description:  The devastating flooding that hit Eastern Iowa in June 2008 resulted in billions of dollars in damage and severely impacted a broad swath of the Midwest.  These funds will invest in flood prevention, planning, and mitigation while creating and saving jobs. Recent climate change research and rising sea levels suggest that floods will become increasingly frequent and severe over time, making research into the causes and prevention of flooding a key investment to minimize the impact of flooding on communities, economies, and families nationwide.  This funding will be used to found a Center for Flood Research and Education at the University of Iowa.  The Center will focus on: establishing links between flood frequency and the causes of floods; developing forecasting tools to predict flood levels and reach; researching the impact of climate change and physical environments on flooding; and creating a Mobile Flood Response unit that can travel to any flood in the nation for rapid collection of samples and data.  The overarching goal of the Center’s work will be to bring together physical and environmental science, socio-economic research, and risk policy analysis to provide sound evidence and research that can, in turn, be used by key decision makers to formulate detailed, science-based flood prevention and response polices.   

Project: Chariton River Basin, IA & MO

Recipient: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District

601 E 12th Street

Kansas City, MO 64106

Amount Requested: $100,000

Description:  This project will look at efficient ways to allow for expansion of the local economy while protecting our homes, small businesses, and schools from future flooding. The funding would be used for conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the water resource opportunities and challenges in the Chariton River Basin.  This evaluation will recommend projects to improve flood protection, bank stabilization, ecosystem restoration, and water supply above Rathbun Lake and within Iowa and Missouri below Rathbun Lake. Additionally, flow operations impacting the State of Iowa lands below Rathbun Lake would be reviewed to reduce flooding.

Project: City of Cedar Rapids Collector Wells 5 and 6 Improvements

Recipient: City of Cedar Rapids

1201 6th St. SW

Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Amount Requested: $2,310,000

Description:  The funding would be used to construct two new collector wells. New collector wells are needed to replace aging wells and improve the reliability of the water supply to Cedar Rapids. This funding helps ensure that our community’s water supply is not threatened as it was during last summer’s flooding.

Project: City of Cedar Rapids Emergency Communications Center

Recipient: Cedar Rapids Police Department

505 1^st Street SW

Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404

Amount Requested: $7,000,000

Description:  Our first responders deserve the best possible tools, equipment, and resources. It is essential for our communities that our front lines against natural disasters are able to communicate quickly and effectively. This funding will be used by the City of Cedar Rapids Joint Communications Agency to replace the City’s failing emergency communications and dispatch system.  The equipment that anchors the current system is now over a decade old and many of the necessary replacement parts are no longer manufactured.  In fact, the system has experienced several serious failures in recent months and only stopgap and costly measures are available to keep it running.  As was proven during the floods of June 2008, the dispatch center provides critical communication and information sharing between first responders.  Without a reliable method of dispatching first responders to respond to emergency situations and assuring that they have the ability to communicate with one another, the City of Cedar Rapids is not fully ready to respond to emergency and crisis situations.  The Communications Center provides essential interoperability, communications, and coordination between Cedar Rapids’ first responders and this funding will assure the availability and reliability of the dispatch system for the City.   

Project: City of Fort Madison Drinking Water System Improvements

Recipient: City of Fort Madison

811 Avenue E

Fort Madison, IA 52627           

Amount Requested: $8,800,000

Description:  The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has recommended the construction of a new water treatment plant after finding that the deteriorating structure was exacerbated by the devastating impact of the 2008 flood. The project funding would be used for construction of a new treatment plant to meet the community’s growth and demand, and address specific deficiencies in water quality. Ultimately, this facility will bring added capacity that will help facilitate new economic development for the community.

Project: City of Iowa City North Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements

Recipient: City of Iowa City

410 E. Washington St.

Iowa City, IA 52240       

Amount Requested: $5,000,000

Description:  This funding will create jobs while ensuring our community is protected from future flooding. The funding would be used to design and begin construction on the North Wastewater Treatment Plant in Iowa City. The North Plant was inundated for over two weeks during the 2008 floods, resulting in minimally treated waste being discharged into the Iowa River. Since wastewater from the University of Iowa Hospitals, the Veterans Administration Hospital and University of Iowa Research Facilities are all treated at this plant, untreated waste is of greater concern than waste from typical municipal sources. Relocating this plant out of the Iowa River flood plain is important not just for Iowa City, but also for these medical and research institutions. In addition, a new modern treatment facility will put Iowa City in a better position to comply with future waste limits and to accommodate economic development.

Project: Crisis Assistance and Counseling Services for Flood Victims

Recipient: Linn County Community Services

                  305 Second Avenue SE

                  Cedar Rapids, IA  52401                 

Amount Requested: $1,500,000

Description: Iowan families are still struggling to rebuild and recover after last summer’s floods.  The 2008 Flood displaced over 25,000 residents from their homes and affected access to basic needs for many households. The flood disproportionately affected low-income neighborhoods, where many of the community’s most vulnerable members live, including elderly, young children, people with disabilities and many veterans. Poverty rates in the flooded neighborhoods were more than double those for the county as a whole. If this proposal is approved, Linn County will coordinate the distribution of federal funds to a range of human services organizations with proven track records to meet local crisis needs. It is vital in rebuilding our communities that our vulnerable population does not slip through the cracks.  The requested funding would be used for: transportation assistance; crisis case management; crisis assistance for Veterans; Non-food household items for families; and calls to 2-1-1.

Project: Domestic Violence Enhanced Case Management Assistance and Outreach for Flood Victims

Recipient: Linn County Community Services

                   305 Second Avenue SE

                   Cedar Rapids, IA  52401

Amount Requested: $500,000

Description:  As a result of the June 2008 floods, in addition to families in FEMA mobile homes or doubled up with relatives, over 200 people remain in substandard, unsafe housing. According to the CDC, the increased stress associated with disruptions in families; challenges in meeting daily needs such as food, water, and shelter; as well as disruptions in health and law enforcement services can increase the possibility of violence.  The requested funds would support enhanced case management services for flood victims and provide additional support to outreach efforts at emergency shelters, churches, nonprofits that specialize in assisting flood victims, etc. 

Project: Dubuque Street Elevation and Park Road Bridge Replacement Project

Recipient: City of Iowa City              

410 E. Washington St.

Iowa City, IA 52240

Amount Requested: $5,000,000

Description:  This project will create jobs and provide the needed protection from flooding for the community’s main economic artery. The funding would be used for the reconstruction and elevation of Dubuque Street and Park Road Bridge in Iowa City above the 100-year flood level. Dubuque Street is the main entrance to Iowa City from Interstate 80 and carries approximately 25,500 vehicles per day. Dubuque Street is the first street to close during a heavy rain or flooding due to the current low elevation limiting access to downtown Iowa City, the University of Iowa and Hospitals, Mercy Hospital, and the Veterans Administration Hospital. During the 2008 Flood, approximately 14 inches of backwater was measured at this bridge which contributed to the flooding of upstream properties.

Project: Early Childhood and Youth Flood Victim Assistance

Recipient: Linn County Child Development Center

                  520 – 11^th Street NW

                  Cedar Rapids, IA  52405                 

Amount Requested: $2,237,000

Description:  The victims hardest hit by the floods last summer were our children.  US Census Tract data for Linn County shows that flood-affected areas were home to approximately 1,250 children under the age of 6 and 2,000 school-age children. Child care services for 1,500 children were discontinued or significantly disrupted by the flood. At the same time, participation in the state child care assistance program increased by 13%.  According to a report by five giant steps, an early childhood initiative in Linn County, based on national research, it is reasonable to expect that as many as 200-300 young children in Linn County may experience on-going anxiety, depression and behavioral changes as a result of the flood. We may additionally expect to see a smaller group of 25-30 children under age six with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. I have requested funds for: infant/toddler home visitation; crisis child care for flood families; early childhood equipment for programs; child care assistance funds for flooded families; and supervised youth activities for school age children.  This funding will keep children safe and help address their mental health needs while families recover from the floods.

Project: Entrepreneurial Development Center’s Business Accelerator Economic Flood Recovery

Recipient: Entrepreneurial Development Center

230 2nd St. SE

Suite 212

Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

Amount Requested: $500,000

Description:  At a time when Iowans are struggling with the recent economic downturn and coping with the effects of last summer’s floods, this project will inject funds, training, and resources into our businesses, particularly in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. The funding would be used for saving, creating and expanding high-impact entrepreneurial businesses via experienced, hands-on mentoring and consulting. Funding will be spent specifically on experienced, entrepreneurial staff, contract experts and supporting infrastructure that will increase the creation and expansion of Iowa-founded businesses. These high-growth businesses will breathe new life into the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Technology Corridor that were so severely impacted by the floods of 2008.

Project: Evaluation of Flood Scenarios and Emergency Planning, IA

Recipient: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District

Clock Tower Building

PO Box 2004

Rock Island, IL 61204

Amount Requested: $120,000

Description: The floods of last summer reminded Iowans that planning and prevention are critical to protecting our homes, schools, and small businesses. The funding would be used for initiating and completing evaluation of flooding scenarios and emergency planning assistance for urban levee systems.

Project: Flood Modeling and Risk Analyses for Control Reservoirs, IA

Recipient: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District

Clock Tower Building

PO Box 2004

Rock Island, IL 61204

Amount Requested: $37,000

Description: This funding will help ensure better protection from future flooding for our communities. The funding would be used for the complete development of flood flow models and risk analyses for floodplains downstream of three flood control reservoirs in Iowa: Coralville, Red Rock, and Saylorville.

Project: Indian Creek, Cedar Rvr, Cedar Rapids, IA

Recipient: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District

Clock Tower Building

PO Box 2004

Rock Island, IL 61204

Amount Requested: $499,000

Description: This project will lead to an investment in flood mitigation measures to protect our community from future flood risks. The funding would be used to support an ongoing study to evaluate structural and non-structural flood protection for the Indian Creek watershed in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Project: Iowa Highway 100 Extension and Improvements, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Recipient: City of Cedar Rapids

1206 6th St. NW

Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Amount Requested: $2,000,000

Description:   The funding would be used for a 9.5 mile freeway upgrade and extension which would continue the partially completed beltway system in Cedar Rapids and provide connections between major highways. The project will significantly reduce congestion and associated problems on the existing transportation system and provide an alternative route for normal and emergency traffic when conflicts occur on other roadways. In addition, the extension and upgrade will provide a much needed additional crossing of the Cedar River during extreme flood events as in June 2008, when 9 of 10 area river crossings were closed, with the sole exception being I-380.

Project: IA Rvr/Clear Creek, Johnson County, IA

Recipient: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District

Clock Tower Building

PO Box 2004

Rock Island, IL 61204

Amount Requested: $162,000

Description:  These funds will help identify measures to minimize flood risks and preserve water quality. The funding would be used for completing reports to determine the need for additional projects to restore and enhance wetlands, buffer zones around streams or rivers, and stream habitat on the Clear Creek and Iowa River for the Cities of Iowa City and Coralville, and the University of Iowa.

Project: Linn County Elder Service Flood Recovery Assistance

Recipient: Linn County Home Health

                  800 First Street NW

                  Cedar Rapids, IA  52405                 

Amount Requested: $1,000,000

Description:  In June of 2008 Iowa suffered extensive damage from severe flooding across the state.  The flooded areas of the community were home to many elderly residents who are overwhelmed with the enormity of the situation they now face.  Taking care of our nation’s seniors with the dignity and respect they deserve is something I will always work towards.  That’s why I requested funding to provide flood-related chore clean-up for  households, transportation services for older persons, home delivered meals, case management for flood-affected elderly, Information &Referral for the elderly, and housing relocation support.  The funding is intended to help elderly residents remain safe in their homes and avoid costlier, nursing home care.

Project: Linn County Sheriff’s Office Equipment

Recipient: Linn County Sheriff

1860 County Home Road

Marion, Iowa 52302

Amount Requested: $147,700

Description:  Our first responders deserve the best possible tools, equipment, and resources. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office will use this funding to purchase necessary technology and equipment to improve communication, data sharing, and interoperability between and amongst the Sheriff’s Deputies, the dispatch center, and other agencies.  During the floods of June 2008, coordination could have been improved if first responders were outfitted with the technology necessary to provide instant communication and data sharing.  By investing in mobile computers for the Deputies’ patrol vehicles, as well as improving the dispatch center’s technology, this funding will directly improve the readiness of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and surrounding agencies to respond to future crises and disasters.  Furthermore, by improving information sharing, this funding will allow the Linn County Sheriff’s Office to more accurately assess the location of an emergency caller and to more quickly dispatch a Sheriff’s Deputy to assist that person.  Timeliness of response, instant communication, information sharing, and interagency coordination are all critical to public safety, and this funding will directly improve the Linn County Sheriff Office’s ability to respond to emergency situations.   

Project: Mad Creek, Muscatine, IA

Recipient: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District

Clock Tower Building

PO Box 2004

Rock Island, IL 61204

Amount Requested: $3,800,000

Description:  This funding will create jobs while investing in flood planning and mitigation. The funding would be used for completing design and fully funding construction to provide flood protection to the downtown and business area. Downtown Muscatine is frequently threatened by flooding from Mad Creek and the Mississippi River.

Project: Mississippi Drive Corridor, Muscatine, Iowa

Recipient: City of Muscatine            

215 Sycamore St. 

Muscatine, IA 52761      

Amount Requested: $5,000,000

Description:  The funding would be used for development of major improvements to the U.S. 61 transportation system linking Muscatine’s central business district and community to the city’s primary riverfront activities. Specifically, the project includes reconstruction 1.6 miles of U.S. 61, pedestrian access improvements, traffic enhancements, and storm drain improvements. The project will also lead to increased access for employees and business traffic in the area. Since 1984 the city has worked and spent $18 million to preserve this corridor along with numerous private businesses located in the project area.

Project: Post Flood Mental Health Services

Recipient: Linn County Mental Health and Development Disabilities

                  MHDD, Westdale Mall

                  2600 Edgewood Road SW

                  Cedar Rapid, IA 52404

Amount Requested: $6,300,000

Description:  The floods of last summer ravaged our communities and tore apart many lives.  The flood created a crisis in accessible, affordable mental health and substance abuse services.  The requested funding would be used to assist the local community health center in providing outreach counseling, as well as substance abuse counseling. Research conducted after other disasters shows that without these services mental health problems and substance abuse will increase and will become worse, more costly and more entrenched. Without intervention we can expect increased rates of crime, domestic violence, child abuse and substance abuse. State and local budgets are not able to accommodate the increased caseloads created by the flood.  These funds will help avert these problems while creating more jobs and helping communities recover and rebuild.

Project: Soap Creek Watershed Project, Iowa

Recipient: Soap Creek Watershed Board

Suite A

402 Karr Ave.

Bloomfield, IA 52537

Amount Requested: $1,071,000

Description:  The floods of last summer showed us the importance of our local watersheds to aid in flood mitigation. This funding will help protect our local homes and businesses. Specifically, funding would be used for financial and technical assistance to the Soap Creek Watershed Board to continue construction of flood-retarding structures in the Soap Creek Watershed located in Appanoose, Davis, Monroe, and Wapello Counties in southeast Iowa.

Project: Southeast Cedar Rapids Connector over the Cedar River and Union Pacific RR,

Cedar Rapids, IA

Recipient: City of Cedar Rapids

       1201 6th St. SW

                   Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Amount Requested: $5,000,000

Description:  The funding would be used for design and engineering of a new elevated crossing over the Cedar River and bridges on C Street SW and over the Union Pacific Railroad Lines.  In the summer of 2008, the City of Cedar Rapids experienced devastating flooding which closed 9 of the 10 routes connecting the east and west sides of the city due to high water. At this time, the sole exception over the Cedar River was Interstate 380.  This project will ensure a safe and efficient route across the river during flood events for emergency vehicles, commuters, and business traffic so the Interstate would not have to be utilized for city traffic. In addition, the project would address two dangerous high speed at-grade rail crossings with bridges over the Union Pacific Railroad on C Street and from the east side of the Cedar River to the west side.