Water, water, everywhere

I haven't been in the office since last Wednesday. Cedar Rapids flooded and I got sent home at about noon on Wednesday so I could get back to the west side of the river before the bridges closed. I called on Thursday and they told me to stay home... And check in on Sunday.

After pulling my hair out and watching the same episode of L&O: Criminal Intent three times over four days, I went home today to shower and do laundry, since I couldn't in Cedar Rapids. It was pretty fun to surprise my family for Father's Day and it was a great ride with KTB. Took us a bit of extra time to skirt the flood waters, but we made it. We also both felt kinda bad ditching our current home when it needed able-bodied volunteers, but we also both were going crazy... It was the first time I had been able to venture to the east side of the river since Wednesday.

These floods are so devistating. It's terrible. I don't know how the state is going to recover. Between tornados and floods... The state party postponed the state Democratic Convention. It was supposed to be yesterday, and I don't know when they'll hold it instead. Because really, a couple weeks isn't going to make much difference for people. Many of the festivals and parades we were going to campaign at are also cancelled or postponed. It's suddenly looking like a rough summer.

What follows here is an email I recieved from Democratic Senator (seeking reelection) Tom Harkin:

"Dear Heather :

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the tens of thousands of Iowans around the state who have had to evacuate their homes and businesses due to the severe weather damage and record flooding in communities and neighborhoods across our state. In addition, my heart and my sincere sympathies go out to the victims, families and friends of the boy scouts who were affected by the tornado that swept through the Little Sioux Scout Ranch near Turin.

"The news that we lost four young boy scouts was both shocking and heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who are grieving for their children. The teamwork and the swift disaster preparedness skills deployed by the boy scouts and local officials responding to the incident helped lessen the impact of that disaster, and for that I am grateful.

"Since the tornado hit Little Sioux Scout Ranch, large parts of Iowa have experienced immense flooding that has forced communities in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines to evacuate. My thoughts and prayers are also with these Iowans and I hope that their displacement is not prolonged and that they are able to return with their homes and businesses largely intact.

"I am touring our state with our Congressional Delegation and with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Administration to help coordinate relief efforts and I am confident that Iowa will emerge from this natural disaster stronger than ever. I know this because I have seen the strength of our communities as they have banded together to endure the devastation. Soon the waters will recede and we will begin the process of rebuilding and I will make sure that the federal government plays a robust role to help Iowans recover and rebuild.

"Iowans affected by recent tornadoes and floods are urged to call the 24-hour Iowa Concern Hotline for financial and emotional assistance at (800) 447-1985.

"Citizens who want to donate monetarily to help the victims of the storms can do so through service organizations including, but not limited to: Red Cross, United Way, and the Salvation Army.

"Due to the immense flooding and storm damage in Iowa, I have postponed the voting deadline for the final round of our "Building Blue " contest for Iowa State House and State Senate candidates. The contest - and the final round of balloting - will now run through the end of the month.

"Please keep our fellow Iowans in your thoughts and prayers and please support them if you are able. I know Iowa will emerge from the floods of 2008 stronger than ever.

"Senator Tom Harkin"


For more information on Building Blue, visit www.tomharkin.com/action/building-blue (Candidates Gretchen Lawyer and Swati Dandekar have their campaigns based in my office).