It’s the year of the river in Cedar Rapids…

Somehow, I don’t think people there are celebrating the river right now. It looks pretty bad. The library is barely a block from the river and it’s evacuated. Buildings east of the river in downtown are getting hit. Power’s out. Boy, do I feel for everyone there.

I also feel for the people of Vinton, the county seat of Benton County. My illiterate Irish immigrant ancestor bought 100 acres in Benton County in 1854, did well with the great farmland, and bought more land in the 1860s and 1870s. Pretty impressive for a man who never learned how to read or write. I’ve spent many hours in the courthouse in Vinton. It’s up on a small hill – maybe that will help a little. I saw a picture yesterday and the river is at the base of the courthouse. If I were there now, my car would be underwater – my usual parking spot is full of river. The jail north of the courthouse is flooded – the fire house is flooded. Many homes west of Iowa 150, the main road into town from the north, are flooded. The 150 bridge over the river can’t be seen. Wow.

Seeing all this destruction is very sad. Who knows how bad Cedar Rapids will get? South of there will really get nailed. Plus there’s more rain. I really hope all of Iowa gets a break. I hope Wisconsin and Indiana get one, too. Northern Illinois is starting to catch up with our neighbors with flooding and the weather people are threatening two and half inches of rain here tonight and tomorrow. My basement has already flooded from the last batch of rain.

The midwest needs a break. When will we get it??!!