On June 13, 2008, the Cedar River crested at 31.12 feet, 11 feet above the previous record, flooding 10 square miles and displacing more than 18,000 residents in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Flood Damage

The floodwaters submerged critical public infrastructure, including City Hall, the primary hospital, fire station, library, and police station. More than 1,300 city blocks were flooded, and 7,846 properties were damaged, including 6,865 residential properties, 754 commercial/industrial properties, and 227 public properties. The flood event caused an estimated $2.4 billion in damages.

Residents were left to pick up the pieces and try to save what they could from the floodwaters. Many were forced to evacuate their homes and seek shelter elsewhere. The community came together to support those affected, with many donating items such as wheelchairs, clothes, and sleeping bags to those in need.

Aftermath

In the years since the 2008 flood, progress has been made in repairing and revitalizing the city. Some venues have reopened, including the U.S. Cellular Center arena, Theatre Cedar Rapids, and Paramount Theatre. Work has been done to preserve and develop the neighborhoods that were rebuilt after the historic flood.

Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.