1 20 3 https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/ba084fd0ddcdc178d96b9e6a5023a57f.pdf aee74f3dfb32198b2a1378b4bc0a6c59 PDF Text Text I ( The flooding that devastated Council Bluffs and the southwest Iowa cities and counties along and near the Missouri River was an event that will not and should not - soon be forgotten. �' ...,., "'" . My team and I would like to thank all our customers for allowing us to be there for so many of you during the stressful summer months we endured. Part of our mission statement states we will help you recover from the unexpected. We look forward to serving you in the future and again, we thank you for your trust! 4 • I Judd Knispel Insurance Agency Inc Judd Knispel 1860 Madison Ave, Suite 2 712-325-0256 juddknispel.corn �Sunday November 13, 2011 3 Efforts should not be forgotten T he flooding that devastated Council Bluffs and the southwest Iowa cities and counties along and near the Missouri River was an event that will not - and should not - soon be forgotten. The duration of this summer's flooding was unprecedented, as was the effort that went into fighting the threat posed by the river. Fully half of the city of Council Bluffs, including the city's water works and sewage treatment facility, was protected by a levee system that was not designed for a flood event that lasted months rather than days or weeks. That the levee system held is a testament not to a physical structure but to the individuals who monitored it constantly and tended to its weaknesses. Our appreciation for the efforts of city employees, who account for but a tiny portion of the Council Bluffs' residents; for the efforts of the Iowa Army National Staff photos/Cindy Christensen At left, Choteau Kammel, 12, and his father Bob Kammel of Omaha help Guard volunteers who fill sandbags at the Mid-America Center June 11. Above, Staff Sgt. Eric walked the levees as the Freitag, left, and Pvt. Shea Grove with the Iowa National Guard patrol a eyes and ears of a city not levee in Council Bluffs on June 14. their own; and the countless volunteers who came from cities near and far to fill sandbags and otherwise help in the fight against the river can never be adequately or fully expressed. And those efforts should never be forgotten. Cover photos, clockwise from top: World-Herald News Service, Chad Nation, Stephanie Ogren, Cindy Christensen, Cindy Christensen, Cindy Christensen 20% RENTAL 0 F Show this coupon & save 20% on the rental cost : of any piece of equipment. : I I 2917 W. Broadway Council Bluffs, IA 712-323-6822 I I I I I I I I : Good through Dec. 31, 2011 I I l I I ·----------------------------------4 Thank you to everyone who fought the flood of 2011. Cutler-O'Neill MEYER-WOODRING Funeral Home & Crematory Bayliss Park Chapel 5-15 \\ iHow \\ <"nuc • l ounc1l ttlntf<; • >l2 777'1 W"\\ ".cut lerom:ill.com �4 Sunday November 13, 2011 • na Bluffs better prepared for 2011, couple said DENNIS FRIEND DFRIEND@NONPAREILONLINE.COM Harry and Lila Springer moved into t heir home at 820 Ave. C in June of 1949. They hadn't been married all that long. Then came the flood of 1952. A severe winter in 1951-52 dropped unusually large amounts of snow, followed by an early, r apid snow melt which filled the Missouri River tributaries. In March 1952, blizzards were followed by rain and by temp e r a tures t h a t climbe d as hig h as 7 5 d egrees. Frozen ground allowed m e lting s now to run directly into streams feeding the Missouri River. April 5, the river began to rise, and it kept rismg. On April 7, the river reached the 19-foot flood stage, and predictions called for water to rise to levels high er than 23 feet . The Army Corps of Engineer s said the levees were designed to han dle 26.5 feet of water and would not be topped unless th e river rose above 31.5 feet . Council Bluffs Mayor James Mulqueen realized west end homes on the three-mile flood plain were vulnerable and evacuation order s wer e issued. The Springer s were part of that mandatory evacu ation. "We were kicked out for about two weeks, something like that," Harry Springer s aid. They still live at 820 Ave. C, soon will celebrate 64 years of marriage - he's 83, she's 79 and they just went through their second flood scare at the same house. "The flood iri 1952 lasted a couple of weeks. This time, it lasted three months. We have the dams now, and they h eld so damn much water," Springer s aid. Lila Springer agreed. This time, ther e was no mandatory evacuation. Instead, "we got calls in the middle of the nigh t that we might h ave to evacuate," she said. ?n Staff photo/Cindy Chris At left, Harry and Lila Springe r look through a family photo alb um at the ir dining table . The Springers survived the floods of 1952 and 2011 while residing in the home currently live in. At right, a 1952 file photo shows volunteers placing sandbags in 1952. Although they never did h ave to flee their homes, she said the flood of 2011 was difficult beca use "the high water lasted so long. The worrying lasted longer this time." The Springers were one of the first to move back into their home in 1952 and the house never flooded. Their home was untouch ed by floodwaters in 2011 as well. "This time, we just waited for them to tell us to move out," Springer said, and no one ever did. Both are convinced Council Bluffs was better prepared for flooding in 2011 than th e city was in 1952. "They wer e more efficient and they h ad more equipment this time. Back th en (1952), they mostly had bulldozer s," Lila Sprin ger said. "Th e water was near the t op of the dikes in 1952, but not this time," Springer said. In addition, Lila Springer sa id it seem ed to h er the levees and dikes were t ended by so many volunteers in 1952 that, "if th e dikes h ad gone, we would h ave lost a lot of men." When the river reach ed flood st age in 1952, 5,000 people went to work on the levees. The Cross stated a levee break would endanger 5, families in the Bluffs. On April 12, the order we out for a nyone who lived west of 30th Street move to high er ground. Everyone in Carter and East Omaha a ls o h a d been told to evacua By April 13, mass evacuations wer e under way the west and south sides of Council Bluffs. Cre worked all night to add 2 feet of dirt to Coun Bluffs levees. Most levee roads become unusab becau se of rain, floodwa ter and mud. The U.S. Army sent in 6,000 troops. Wa s oaked and saturated levees wer e said to "qui like J ello" underfoot. Council Bluffs residen h a d evacuated 17 s quare miles of the city. The flood crest s lammed into the Coun Bluffs area April 18, 1952. According to Nation Weather Service r ecords, the river rose to 40 inches before it began to r ecede April 19. The floodwat ers of 2011 crested at 36.29 in es July 2 before beginning to drop. Lila Springer pointed out a s imilarity in ho floods - "Th e Red Cross was so good." So Ma~y Oplion1 lo Gel Dul I, Have a 0 · tu I • Special Events •Holiday Events •Youth Sports & Summer Camps • Adult Softball • Pool Parties • 27 Parks Including ATV Park, Skate Park & Recreation Trail All Aotivifie1 Polled Online al www.ehparksandrec.org 209 Pearl St. • (112) !28-4650 825 W. Broadwo �I / I { i �6 Sunday November 13, 2011 Flood 2011: A timeline Compiled by News Editor Chad Nation Monday, May 23 The U.S. Corps of Engineers reports that repeated rounds of heavy rain across Montana and the Dakotas, coupled with far above normal mountain snowpack, have pushed reservoirs to a level which calls for aggressive water releases from Missouri River mainstem dams. "The upper Missouri River is seeing dramatic increases in flows, particularly after as much as 8 inches of rain fell over the weekend in portions of eastern Montana and western North Dakota," said Jody Farhat, Chief of the Corps' Missouri River Basin Water Management Division in Omaha. ''Unusually heavy precipitation, combined with late season heavy snowpack in parts of the Missouri Basin, means we will see near-record runoff in the Missouri basin." Thursday, May 26 Record water releases on the Missouri River have Council Bluffs officials warning citizens about depth levels not seen in this area since the 1950s. The National Weather Service measured the river at 27.5 feet at 8:30 a.m. and the level is predicted to rise to 29.2 feet sometime on May 27. Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan said officials are trying to stay ahead of the problems that might occur from rising river levels. "It isn't if we are going to get to 29.2, which is really high, but when," Hanafan said . ''We are trying to be proactive because this is going to happen." The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the river could rise between 3 and 6 feet above flood stage from Sioux City to the mouth north of St. Louis as the new water makes its way south. Randy Behm, chief of flood risk and floodplain management of the Corps, said by midJune the 110,000 cfs should be released. Saturday, May 28 Pottawattamie County is under a flood warn- Staff photo!Tim Rohwer By June 1, the parking lot at Harrah's Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel was under water. ing until further notice, according to the water by May 27. National Weather Service, in Valley, Neb. The Council Bluffs Parks and Recreation Wednesday, June 1 Department closed the Iowa lliver Front Trail Following a number of days of increasing from Dodge Riverside and Harrah's Boulevard responses, Lynn Grobe, Chairman of the to the Western Historic Trails Center. Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors. The water is over the trail under the Tuesday signed a local disaster declaration for Harrah's parking garage and throughout the Pottawattamie County, including the cities of Western Historic Trails Center's property at the Carter Lake and Council Bluffs. levee. This allows for those two cities, as well as Council Bluffs Police have reported the road Pottawattamie County, to request additional to the Lake Manawa boat dock is flooded and assistance if needed from outside resources and the wooded area around the road is under entities as the flood crisis continues. water. Access to the road has been blocked off. Mayor Tom Hanafan also issued a proclamaReRidcnts of the Goosehaven Loop area north tion this morning that people who refuse to of Council Bluffl• nlrcady hove been advised to leave the area on the river side of the levee leave their home·; because of the rising river. south of Highway 92 and west of Lake Manawa The access road into the nrea was covei-ed with will constitute a nuisance. The employees of the Daily Nonpareil wish to thank the thousands of volunteers who, in the spirit of volunteerism during the time of crisis, provided much nceclcd assistance. The Nonpareil salutes those who were victimized by the flood, who exhibited strength, rcsilicm·y and resolve while facing the devastating affects of the flood. Your courage and determination are examples for us all. NONPAREIUJ111/n1~.com Follow us on .... 535 W. Broadway, Suite 300 Council Bluffs, IA 712-328-1811 www.nonpareilonline.com EDAILY NONPAREIL �Sunday November 13, 201 1 7 Staff photos/Cindy Christensen Hundreds of volunteers lined up to help fill sandbags outside the Mid-America Center on June 4. At right, Joyce Snyder and Alex Schard, both of Council Bluffs, put in a little team effort to fill their share of sandbags. More than 200,000 san~bags were filled that day. Thursday, June 2 Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad issued a disaster proclamation Thursday for six counties along the Missouri River - Pottawattamie, Harrison, Fremont, Mills, Monona and Woodbury counties. According to a release from the governor's office, the proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to prepare for, respond to and recover from the effects of predicted flooding caused by increased releases from reservoirs on the upper Missouri River. It is announced that the Gavins Point Dam at Yankton, S.D., will more than double its rc>cord flow of 70,000 cubic feet per second to a projected 150,000 cubic feet per second by mid-June. ground. A stretch of Interstate 29 also was at risk of flooding. Saturday, June 4 More than 900 volunteers filed in and filled more than 200,000 sandbags at the MidAmerica Center. Thursday, June 9 Interstate 29 closed from the Crescent exit to the Interstate 680 exchange near Loveland. Interstate 680 eastbound into Iowa also closed. Monday, June 6 Evacuations continued in parts of Hamburg on June 6 after two breaches in the Missouri River levee near the southwest Iowa town. About 240 residents - 20 percent of the community of 1,240 - had been ordered to higher Monday, June 13 Flooding incident commander and Council Bluffs Fire Chief Alan Byers announced that some 60 members of the Iowa National Guard have been assigned to monitor the city's flood levees 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Concerned about the Flood of 2012? Consider purchasing flood insurance toda ! Contact Butterbaugh Insurance for II of your questions &insuran n ds. t Optical In Council Bluffs - Established In I Voted in town on a regular basis �8 Sunday November 13, 2011 Tuesday, June 14 The Iowa Department of Transportation closed both lanes of Interstate 29 between milepost 55 - North 25th Street in Council Bluffs - and the 1-29-U.S. Highway 30 interchange at milepost 75, near Missouri Valley. Interstate 680 closed from exit 21, near Beebeetown, to 1-29 near Loveland and from the 1-29/1-680 interchange, exit 61 near Crescent. to North 30th Street in Omaha. The latter closure included the Mormon Bridge across the Missouri River. Wednesday, June 22 While no evacuation orders are issued, the city of Council Bluffs raised the alert status to Level 1. Council Bluffs Fire Chief Alan Byers described Level 1 status as a slowly developing flood event, but an evacuation order is not being issued at this time. However, the city recommended that residents make preparations to leave the area. Thursda y, J une 23 Releases from Gavins Point Dam in northeast Nebraska increase to 160,000 cubic feet per second as a result of continued rain in South Dakota - where as much as 6 inches fell - and northern Nebraska. Staff photo/Cindy Christensen Volunteers from AmeriCorps canvased neighborhoods along Ninth Avenue on June 18 to distribute information on how to evacuate safely. No evacuation orders were issued at the time. Friday, June 24 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hired a contractor to shore up sections of the levee along the Missouri River in Council Bluffs. Council Bluffs public information officer Don Gross said crews began working to install "seepage blankets" along six sections of the levee system. Gross said seepage blankets are designed to provide additional support for the levee. 504 s. &th street council Bluffs Across street from court House Office 712·323·1950 llnda.prtmmer.b5111p@statefarm.com -.llndaprtmmer.com �Sunday November 13, 2011 9 the Northwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said a gradual draw down of the water released from the Gavins Point Dam in South Dakota would begin in the middle of August. McMahon said flows from the dam would be cut from 160,000 cubic feet per second to 155,000 cfs July 30 before dropping to 150,000 cfs on Aug. 1. The release rate will remain at 150,000 cfs, weather permitting, until the middle of August at which point the release will be stepped down 5,000 cfs per day until it reaches 90,000 cfs at the end of August. Monday, June 27 President Barack Obama declares a major disaster declaration for six western Iowa counties - Pottawattamie, Harrison, Fremont, Mills, Monona and Woodbury counties. The declaration provides federal funding under the Public Assistance Program and is available to eligible public entities and selected nonprofit agencies to cover costs incurred for implementing emergency protective measures and for the anticipated need for removal of debris. Thursday, June 30 At 10 a.m., Percival - a Fremont County town of 87 people - was mostly dry, except for the ditches. By noon, the Missouri River ran through the streets - a foot deep in some places. Floodwaters rushed into Percival after a nearby levee broke in the early morning hours. Friday, July 1 Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan signs a proclamation giving the city authority to shut down private pumps at homes that are contributing to sink holes. Saturday, July 2 The Missouri River peaks at 36.29 feet, according to the National Weather Service. It is the second highest measurement of the river at Council Bluffs, only being topped by the flood of Staff photo/Cindy Christensen On June 15, Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan and Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle held a joint press conference on the Council Bluffs levee near the Dodge Riverside Clubhouse. The mayors discussed the cooperative effort necessary to survive a flood event. 1952 when the river reached 40.2 feet. Friday, July 29 Brig. Gen. John R. McMahon, commander of Thursday, Aug. 4 "This is by far the wettest season and the wettest year the basin has experienced," said Jody Farhat, the Army Corps of Engineers water management chief in Omaha. July runoff above Sioux City was 10-million acre-feet, making it the wettest July on record and fifth-highest single runoff month the basin has experienced since 1898. The basin has experienced three consecutive months of record runoff above Sioux City since flooding started in May. June was the highest single month on record with 13.8 million acre-feet of runoff. May runoff was 10.5 million acre feet, the third-highest single month since 1898. Fred Hill- State Farm Agent 2015 W. Broadway Collllcil Bluffs, IA 51503 Bus: 712-323-2880 Providing Insutance and fmancial Services. Servmg Clienrs sin'e 1978 �1D Sunday November 13, 2011 Friday, Aug. 5 Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Craig Fugate notified Gov. Terry Branstad that Iowa's request for activation of the Federal Individual Assistance Program for Fremont, Harrison, Monona, Pottawattamie, and Woodbury counties was denied. Sunday, Aug. 14 Aug. 14 marks the 75th day that the Missouri River has been at or above flood stage in Council Bluffs. Friday, Aug. 19 Receding Missouri River floodwaters are exposing a debris-strewn Interstate 29 in southwest Iowa. Iowa Transportation Department photographs show I-29 lanes near Hamburg and Percival covered with fallen trees, branches, mud, sand, moss and other flotsam. Also, the Army Corps of Engineers today begins 12 consecutive days of reducing the amount of water being released from the Gavins Point Dam. Monday, Aug. 22 In a summer of"worsts," another one hit, Council Bluffs when thunderstorms pounded the community for more than two hours, causing localized street flooding. ~ Staff photo/Jon Leu A four-wheel drive pickup negotiates the flooded intersection at North 39th Street and Avenue G on Aug. 22. A series of strong thunderstorms dumped an estimated of 5 inches of rain on Council Bluffs causing widespread flash flooding in lowland areas. ~ R.j.Nelson Co Affo r dable Comfort You Can Tru s t Heating and Air Conditionin g Has your furnace been checked tor flood damage? ~ ..... BBB A+ Rating LENNOXJ HOME COMFORT Sl'STEMS lnnovotion never felt so good. .., The City of Council Bluffs and its residents worked as a team to battle the historic Missouri River flooding of 2011. Our hats are off to everyone that volunteered throughout the summer to limit the damage from this ongoing event. From your friends at �Sunday November 13, 2011 11 Tuesday, Aug. 30 Council Bluffs public information officer Don Gross said the city of Council Bluffs removed itself from Alert Level 1 flooding status at noon, and the at 5 p.m., the city closed the flood event call center. The city had been at Alert Level 1 status, which warned people to have an evacuation plan in case of a breach or other emer gency, since June 22. The day also marked the last day that members of Iowa National Guard walked the levees looking for abnormalities. Saturda y, Sept. 3 The Council Bluffs entrance to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and major portions of the Council Bluffs Trails System reopened to the public at 8 a.m. The bridge h ad been closed to public access since July 2. Sunday, Sept . 4 Iowa was given more time to appeal FEMA's denial of flood aid for individuals affected by th e Missouri River. The Federal Emer gency Management Agency extended th e deadline to Oct. 7, giving floodwaters time to r ecede and officials th e flexibility needed to document th e damages. Staff photos/Cindy Christensen Above, Gov. Terry Branstad, center, ceremoniously links Nebraska and Iowa once again with Interstate 680 during a reopening ceremony held Nov. 2 in Crescent. Below, pieces of the damaged Interstate 680 were given away as tokens of remembrance. Thursday, Sept. 15 Iowa Rep. Steve King, R-5th District introduced a bill in th e U.S. House that would require cha nges in the U.S. Corp of Engineers Missouri River Manual. His bill would call for increased storage s pace within the corps' r eservoir system allocated for fl ood control. Friday, Sept. 23 Iowa roads officials reopened a 16-mile stretch of Interstate 29 - lhe Loveland interchange to Council Bluffs - which had been closed since June 9. Thursday, Se pt. 29 The Army Corps of Engineers says flooding along the Missouri River in Iowa, Nebrask a, Kansas and Missouri should end a few days sooner than predicted. The corps h as been gradually reducing the amount of water being r eleased from the six dams upstream since Aug. 19. Wednesday, O ct. 5 According to the new stu dy commissioned by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, this year's devast ating floodmg a long the Missouri River caused a n estimated $207 million in lo~t crop i;nles und related economic activi ty. Tuesday, Oct. 18 Gov. Terry Branstad received notifi<'ation T\lcsdny thnt FEl\1A has gran ted Iowa's appeal to make individual disa ter a istancc available to Iowans in five counties impacted hy l\lis ouri River flooding. Residents in J<'remont, Harrison, l\1ill , Mononn nnd Pottawattamie counties will be eligible t.o apply for FEMA's Indiv1du.ll As istnnce Program, which provides aid to homeowners, renters nnd businesses. FEMA did not approve the requec:t, for Woodbury County. Wednesday, Oct. 26 FEMA opened its Disaster Recovery Center in the Hed Cross Building on the Charles Lakin Human S<'r'VicPs <'ampus, 705 N. 16th St.. Th e center is available t.o help those living m the five counties who feel t he floods impacted them. Wednesday, Nov. 2 All four lanes oft11e 3.1-mile stretch oflnterslat 680 reopen to traf- fie, making an improbably quick comeback from its closure and destruction. DR. SADR, INTERNAL MEDICINE Office Hours: Monday: 9a.m - 7pm Tuesday - Friday: 9am - 6pm 801 Harmony Street, Suite 202 Council Bluffs, IA 712.308.1563 Find us on facebookl www.sadrmd.com �12 Sunday November 13, 2011 Flood 2011: Then and now Photos by Cindy Christensen -. LEWIS AND CLARK MONUMENT Above, looking west from the Lewis and Clark Monument gives a bird's eye view of the flood on June 18 and shows an empty Interstate 29, as it was closed just eight days prior because of water over the roadway. Below, while above normal water lingers, traffic flows again on 1-29 as the Missouri River had suffieciently receded by Oct. 29. �Sunday November 13, 2011 13 BIG LAKE PARK Abov e, floodwaters covered a wall of sandbags under the train bridge that spans Big Lake Road on June 18. Right, in this Sept. 10 file pho to, the Missouri River dipped below flood stage, revealing more of the road. The park remained closed into November. LAKE MANAWA ., J Middle left, a family of four sees firsthand just how high the Mis~ouri River reached at the Lake Manawa access point on May 27. For safety r<>a"ons access to the river was closed to vehicle traffic. Bottom left, in thiH Oct. 6 photo, cn•wtt ~turkd clig~inl( out the road that, once led to the l'ive1·. Abovo, by Od. 29, the rond WRR reopened to b·afTic. �14 Sunday November 13, 2011 RIVER'S EDGE PARK Above, with floodwaters reaching just below 33 feet on June 14, River's Edge Park was no longer on the river's edge. At right, this Oct. 29 photo shows the devastation left behind at the park as the Missouri River receded. ....,~ Put Your Confidence In Someone You Know and Trust STATI FAllM IHIUIANCl ~--' State Farm,. W\vw.statefarn1 .cont Tracy Hough - Agent 103 North Avenue • Council Bluffs, IA 51503 71 2-325- 1916 \VWW.tracyhough.com �WEST BROADWAY CLINIC 1701 W. Broadway• Council Bluffs, IA 51501 www.westbroadwayclinic.com �16 Sunday November 13, 2011 Relief measures are moving along City faces $25-$30 million in damages; · assessment in progress TIM ROHWER TROHWER@NONPAREILONLINE.COM Approximately $11 million has been spent so far by Council Bluffs in dealing with this summer's floods, a city official recently said. "That's what we've done so far in the flood fight, but it doesn't include permanent replacement," Finance Director Art Hill said. An assessment on what needs to be repaired or replaced on a more permanent basis is in progress, he said. Until that is complete, a more exact figure on the total amount the city faces won't be known, though Hill mentioned possibility $25 to $30 million. Fortunately, the city has been declared eligible for federal disaster relief assistance, which could pay up to 75 percent of the total costs, Hill said. To seek reimbursement from the feds, city officials are in the process of providing cost sheets to federal officials during particular phases of the flooding. For example, Hill recently tallied up flood-fight ing costs from May 25 through June 30. The total that he calculated during that time was $253,788, Hill said. He expressed confidence that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will pay its large share of that cost with the state picking up 10 percent more. The city would then have to pay the remaining 10 percent. "That's the first submittal," Mayor Tom Hanafan said, with more to come later on. "There's no question that things are moving," Hill said of relief measures. Pottawattamie County officials have done their part to help homeowners deal with this crisis. Recently, the county's Board of Supervisors approved 14 property owners who nppliC'd for a tax DAMAGE/See Poge 17 Staff photo/Cindy Christensen In this June 3 photo, Narrows River Park was under water. A complete assessment on what needs to be repuired or replaced is in progress. �Sunday November 13, 2011 A17 I I \ r Staff photos/Cindy Christensen At left, water crept close to homes on Fox Run Golf Course on July 7. At right, homes on Gifford Road were under water on June 5. Finance Director Art Hill said that the city faces $25 to $30 million in damages from summer flooding. The city is working on a complete assessment. City faces $25-$30 million in damages; assessment in progress DAMAGE/From Page 16 suspension prior to the Sept. 30 deadline because of the summer flooding. That means taxes are still due, but can be put off until a later date. "They are not getting out of any taxes, but they have been through a lot and if this helps them then I think we should do it," Supervisor Lynn Leaders said. "It may not help them, but I think we owe them that." These taxes will either have to be paid in one lump sum or in installments. There were more than 130 properties in the county that were damaged by the flood, according to statistics from Planning Director Kay Mocha. Most of them have paid their current taxes, added County Treasurer Judy Miller. Mocha also added that she visited 101 flooded properties and 61 have been deemed substantially damaged, meaning the flood damaged more than 51 percent of the structure. SAFE. RELIABLE. SERVICE. Improving life in your community We're known best for providing safe, reliable natural gas service. And we're just as privileged to devote our personal energy to improving life in your community. Improving life with energy �18 Sunday November 13, 2011 'Things held up P ~ etty good' Two federally funded options available to Pottawattamie County homeowners Staff photo/Cindy Christensen Pottawattamie County Planning Director Kay Mocha described the various programs available to those affected by the summer flooding during a public forum held Nov. 3. Staff photo/Mike Brownlee Most county roads, like Sumac Road oft' of Old Lincoln Highway ncur Honey Creek, suffered only minor damage~ CHAD NATION CNATION@NONPAREILONLINE.COM The cost of summer flooding along the Missouri River in rural Pottawattamie County is still adding up weeks after floodwaters receded back into the channel. More than 100 h omeowners have been able to return to their properties to assess the damage, but a majority of the owners have not been allowed to return to normalcy at their residences. Pottawattamie County residents learned about two federally funded options available to homeowners living in the unincorporated parts of the county affected by flooding on Nov. 3. Pottawattamie County Planning Director Kay Mocha discussed th e Hazard Mitigation Grant Program - which buys out homeowners whose property is more than 50percent damaged - · and the Section 403 Demolition Grant that provides federal money to remove structures that h azardous to the health and safety of the community. Mocha said that the programs are voluntary for all residents living outside of the city limits. Under the Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program, homeowners would be able to sell their property to the county at 110 percent of its accessed value as of Jan. l. The Federal Emergency Management Agency would pay for 75 percent of funding, while the state would pay 10 percent and the county would pay the final 15 percent. Once the county acquires the title to the land, it cannot ever sell the property or develop it, said Lynn Dittmer of the Metro Area Planning Agency, which is assisting the county with the grant programs. "This a terrific opportunity for those who live in a hazardous area to get to higher ground," Dittmer said. Under the Section 403 Demolition Program, any structure t hat provides an imminent threat to public's safety or health is eligible for grant money to remove the structw·e. The difference is that the resident would be able to keep the land and rebuild on it in the future. Mocha said those residents who are even remotely interested in signing up for either program have until Wednesday, Nov. 23, to be part of the first push. Homeowners have up until the closing process to back out of the agreement, and closings could take anywhere from 12 to 36 months. There will be additional applications made at a later date, but funding is not guaranteed in the future. While the flood damage to homes was substantial, Pottawattamie County Engineer John Rasmussen said damage to roads was less than expected. Rasmussen said none of the "bigger" roads in western Pottawattamie County suffered significant damage. "We lost a lot of gravel here and there," he said. "Which adds up at $2,500 to $6,000 a road.'' but it is not that costly when considering that bridge replacements could have cost the county $250,000 each. "We had a couple of minor issues with some bridges, but we didn't have the running water we thought we would,.. he said. Rasmussen estimated that the county had about $800,000 in damage to roads that would be covered by FEMA and Federal Highway Administration fw1ds. That number is low when considering there are more t.han $40 million in roadR, pipes and bridges in the flooded area. "Things held up pretty good." he added. �Super saver is committed to offering its customers high-q~ality p~oducts and large selection at everyday low prices. Super Saver negotiate~ with vendors directly to maintain the best prices in the market. Super Saver 1s proud to say, 'We Sell for Less" Mission Statement Super Saver is dedicated to providing our community with very clean, friendly stores that offer only top quality-products at the best possible values in the marketplace. UPER We Sell for Less Council Bluffs • 1141 N. Broadway • (712)322-8778 Pharmacy (712) 322-9019 •Floral (712) 242-1919 �20 Sunday November 13, 2011 Staff photo/Cindy Christen sen This June 7 photo shows some of the first sandbags deployed in the summer flooding event, near River Road east of Ameristar Casino-Hotel. The waiting is the hardest part comes," Reeder said. "If there is a flood, we'll be working hand-in-hand with the Corps to make sure there are no major problems. We are now The wait for repairs to the Council Bluffs lev- familiar with big flood events, we know what to look for, what to do." ees could be a while. Before the Corps repairs, Reeder said the city Council Bluffs Public Works Director Greg Reeder said the city would soon submit a levee is removing sand and rock from gate structures damage assessment to the U.S. Army Corps of on the levee and clearing sand from pump staEngineers. The assessment will take time to go tions. through the Corps evaluation process, he said, "We're making sure everything's operational," while another problem fucoR repmrs: money. Reeder said. "They have to get funding," lw said of the After that, the waiting. Reeder said he Corps. MRight now they have n morlest amount expects the Corps to receive additional funding. available for levee repair for the Missouri River "I think everyone in Congress recognizes the basin, nnd they don't have enough to do the need. The situation is caught up in the political Council Bluffs levees. It will take an appropria- games being played," Reeder said. tion from Congress to provule additional fundAs for private levees, to insure uniformity in ing." improvements the Pottawattamie County Board Council Bluffs JB part of a fodcrul lcvC'e sys- of Supervisors has discussed creating a levee tem, so the ferkral government will cover d1:;trict from the Mills County line to Harrison repairs, Reeder smd Once the city submits its County line for private levees. assessment tho 1epau1; are largely out of the With water along Missouri River levees city's hands. receding, landowners are examining breaks and Hee<lcr said levees sustain1'd about $20-30 other blemishes in the structures. Currently Sta1f photo/Chad Nation million in damages. Repairs likely won't start drainage districts cover different sections of the In this June 7 photo, Council Bluffs Public until spring, Reeder i:;aid, as the flood season of levee, with either the Board of Supervisors or a Works operations director Pat Miller shows 2012 hegins. where sandbags were used to strengthen the "That cl~sn't mean the levec>s will foil, but levee north of Big Lake. LEVEES/See Page 21 certninly there'll be challengPs if more flooding Levee repairs may not start until spring MIKE BROWNLEE MBROWNLEE~ NONPAREILONLJNE..COM �cubcadet.com Staff photolClncly Clvtstensen In this J une 7 p h oto, Council Bluffs Fire Chief Alan Byers held a press conference to address concerns near the levee at River Road. Levee repairs may not start until spring LEVEES/From Page 20 district board of trustees overseeing repairs and improvemen ts. Pocahontas-based attorney J ames Hudson, an expert on Iowa drainage law, explained that by law each district is required to r epair any damage to the levee to original quality. However, each district must a pprove improvements, which could include raising levees. The cost of work done on repairs and improvements would be included in fees incurred by landowners in the district. "I'd like us all to work together," Supervisor Loren Knausfi said, adding that improvements along the levees are likely needed. 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Nelson Outdoor Power, Inc. 19277 Conifer Lane Council Bluffs, IA 51503 (712) 256-7686 www.NelsonOutdoorPower.com �22 Sunday November 13, 2011 Staff photos/Cindy Christensen Above, an Aug. 9 photo shows the future home of the River's Edge Park under water. The grassy area - where the park's centerpiece will be located - only suffered minor damage. Below, an artist's initial rendering of what River's Edge Park will look like. The park plan will undergo some changes. Park back on drawing board River's Edge site only sufferect minor damage TIM JOHNSON TJOHNSON@'NONPAREILONl.INE.COM City leaders are determined to build a park along the river without breaking the bank. Work on the $11 million River's Edge Park began in March but was suspended in May when the Missouri River was rising. Since then, Mayor Tom Hanafan froze capital projects so the city could focus on repairing flood damage - which has been estimated at upwards of $25 million. Now, city officials are negotiating with the contractor, MFT, to settle on a scaled-back design that will allow the city to establish the park but still put some of the money into repairing flood damage, said Larry Foster, parks director. When the flood came, the city had already signed a contract with MFT, Foster sai<l. "It's probably in both the city an<l the contractor's best interest to have some kind of project," he said. "But the mayor has been adamant - and the council - that we· need to decrease the cost to the city of the projnct" ao the city con devote as much money as po s1blc to repairing sewers. storm sewers, pump al ntions, lift tntions, streets and other infrastructure. '1 lt's going lo tnke a lnrge nmount of mouey und tllkO n number of years of city resources to gcf the city put. back together." For ito part, MF"!' seems to understand the city's position, :l"ostcr suid. "We all undersl:and it's a different rlay than when we all agreed to do this park," he said "We all want to be able to build o park that pl.'ople c.in be proud of and still put money back to tJ1e city so the city cnn get back to whrr<> it v.as before the <flood)." Fortunately, the park site suffered only minor damage in the flood, Foster said. "Generally, we've been very reassured about w~a.t we've seen," he said. "The da~age is very mm1mal - no major erosion, no large silt deposits." Based on conversations with hydrol~gists, city officials expected the site to escape _serious damage, Foster said. The main channel is farther out in the river, and woodlands buffer the area on both sides, he said. . "It has performed just as we thought it Would," he said. If negotiations and re-:ision of the plans go well, Foster is hopeful the pro3ect can move ahead next year, he said. "If we can move fast enough, we would hope that we could ~o some tl~mg,;; this ~vinter and get moving strong m the spnng, he srud. The park is to stretch !i'om well north of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bndge sou~h to Harrah's Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel With a two-lane road meandering thr~ugh and I_>~~ed pa~hways connecting with the bndge_ and ex.tshng trails. The CP.nterpiece was to be a six-acre Great Lawn for recreation outdoor concerts _and other acth·itie The grou~d will gradually nsc as you go east t~ help minimizf' futurl' flood damage. �~~ Ron Archer L~ Shawn Barrett Visit us for all of your automotive needs: ~~,..,, Jim.Crapo Sales • Service • Body Shop • Parts '"' 0 '"" 3401 South Expressway, Council Bluffs, IA Take the I-80 Lake Manawa Exit, Turn South , , . • Store Hours: Mon.-Fr1. 8am-9pm; Sat. 8am-6pm www.mcmullenford.com 800-432-9837 I 112-366-0531 Duane Duffy �CALL TODA (402) 330·2863 TOLL FREE 888·949·1848 Showroom: 14535 Industrial Rda Open: Mon.·Fri. 8·5pm, Sat. 10·2pm p R EM I U M we wiO work with your insurance company to get your fall benefits! VINYL HUNG WINDOWS So o/o OF~Nv s1zE INSTALLED ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ • Architectural • 3 Tab Shingles • Seamless Gutters Upto101U.l.'sWhlleOnly HAIL & STORM REPAIR! 28' SEAMLESS VINYL SIDING 900 SQ. FT. HOUSE REG. $5999 NOW s299 Locally Owned! 1100 SQ. FT. HOUSE REG.S.- 1500 SQ. FT. HOUSE NOW REG. $999t NOW s3599 s4999 PRICES INCLUDE INSTALLATION ~ --- BBB U~Mlll VISA I !:i i � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Archives Subject The topic of the resource News, events and people of Council Bluffs and Southwest Iowa. Description An account of the resource Newspaper clippings and photographs from the Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Archives Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Daily Nonpareil 2011 Flood Article Description An account of the resource A special issue included in the Sunday, November 13, 2011 issue of the Daily Nonpareil. It details the flooding that occurred in Council Bluffs and other Southwest Iowa cities located near the Missouri River. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Daily Nonpareil Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource November 13, 2011 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper articles Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Western Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Nonpareil reporting Council Bluffs flood flooding Missouri River Southwest Iowa https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/e2e50b7269608738e5353eace742bee7.jpg 1696981097c430b118fb61cf5065e2fd Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Archives Subject The topic of the resource News, events and people of Council Bluffs and Southwest Iowa. Description An account of the resource Newspaper clippings and photographs from the Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Archives Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Photograph Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 19.5 x 16 cm. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 4.65 Inch Storm Floods CB Streets, Basements; Strong Winds Down Trees Subject The topic of the resource local news Description An account of the resource Two-Story House...fell into its own basement after it was undermined by heavy rains. The house was moved to a new foundation at Fifteenth Street and Avenue H within the past week. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Nonpareil photos Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Daily Nonpareil September 7, 1965 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Best_Pictures_1962_1966_9_7_1965_13.jpg Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Black and white photograph Type The nature or genre of the resource Photograph Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Best_Pictures_1962_1966_9_7_1965_13.jpg Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The Council Bluffs Public Library is unaware of any claim of copyright in the images in the collection. We encourage use of these materials under the fair use clause of the Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 101 et seq). The Council Bluffs Public Library has provided in the catalog records for these materials all known information regarding the photographer or other persons associated with the materials. This information is provided as a service to aid users in determining the appropriate use of an item, but that determination ultimately rests with the user. Best Pictures 1962-1966 flooding storms https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/a25a1c5ea48ad91f32bb715b36efb2df.jpg 608e1d5910373e1088768b1243db4116 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Archives Subject The topic of the resource News, events and people of Council Bluffs and Southwest Iowa. Description An account of the resource Newspaper clippings and photographs from the Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Archives Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Photograph Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 18.5 x 10 cm. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Skimming The Waves Subject The topic of the resource local news Description An account of the resource Skimming The Waves...on North Fortieth Street near Avenue G is George Vogel, Jr., 13, hitched to his father's car. The Vogels, 622 N. 40th St., hauled out a makeshift surfboard when the Memorial Day storm created a pond 2 feet deep in the street and 4 feet deep in the ditches. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Nonpareil photos Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Daily Nonpareil, May 31, 1961 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1961-5-31 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Black and white photograph Type The nature or genre of the resource Photograph Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Best_Pictures_1961_5_31_1961_06.jpg Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The Council Bluffs Public Library is unaware of any claim of copyright in the images in the collection. We encourage use of these materials under the fair use clause of the Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 101 et seq). The Council Bluffs Public Library has provided in the catalog records for these materials all known information regarding the photographer or other persons associated with the materials. This information is provided as a service to aid users in determining the appropriate use of an item, but that determination ultimately rests with the user. Best Pictures 1961 flooding