Disaster Recovery News

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Missouri and Illinois are not unaccustomed to having parts of the state flood when the waters rise in the spring or summer. But recent floods have been baffling scientists as rivers crest and spill water into places that are typically dry this time of year.

Record rainfall was recorded for the month of October as rivers rose and flash floods invaded vulnerable areas. This event was called a monsoon by meteorologists. The waters that caused recent floods are not at the levels as devastating floods in the past had risen to, but the problem being caused by the waters is that they are flooding farmlands vital to the economy.

The Illinois AP News reports:

“The most significant flooding along the Mississippi was expected to be at Cape Girardeau in the southern part of Missouri. The weather service expects the river to crest 9 feet above flood stage on Wednesday. The community is protected by a flood wall, and no significant problems are expected.”

More on this story.

When unexpected events like this happen, it is not uncommon for one to wonder if they have the proper insurance coverage for unexpected floods. Does the insurance policy even cover water damage? Learn more about flood insurance.

There are also important steps one can take to make sure one is prepared for a flood. Businesses in particular need to be prepared for events such as flooding, and being ready only takes a little time and forethought. Learn more about preparing for a flood.

When snow melts quickly in the warming spring temperatures, the chances of flooding increases exponentially. This is the case for the Red River Basin in North Dakota: experts watching the water are 100% certain the warming temperatures will cause major flooding.

Residents in Breckenridge and surrounding towns experienced similar flooding in 1997 when the river crested at 54 feet. It is uncertain how high the waters will be this time around, but it is certain they will be high enough to cause damage.

More on this story. Check out flood information for the city of Fargo.

If flooding is predicted for the area in which you live, contact your insurance agent to make sure your home and/or business is properly covered. Have the number for a disaster recovery specialist on hand as well.

Recovery specialists can help dry-out wet items to prevent mold damage. Wet documents, pictures, business files, etc. can also be restored and refiled.

Read more about recovering from a flood.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa is still trying to pick up the pieces after a devastating flood eight months ago invaded the city.The Wall Street Journal reports: “About 10 square miles of flood-wrecked neighborhoods are largely abandoned, with thousands of boarded-up houses and businesses lining debris-dotted streets. A steam and electricity generating station that served some of the city’s biggest employers is still inoperable. More than 300 municipal buildings are in need of repair, along with roads and bridges.”

To add to the stresses of restoring and rebuilding the city of Cedar Rapids and the lives affected, there are growing worries about the drooping economy causing another crisis for the area. Although the unemployment rate is below the national average at 4.6% in the area, job losses are eminent for the area.

City leaders have expressed there has not been enough assistance provided to rebuild resident dwellings such as apartments and houses. Russ Edmonston with FEMA stated: “It is going to take a long while to get a sense of normalcy for the people of Cedar Rapids, and we’ll be here to shoulder those burdens.” Nonetheless, residents of Cedar Rapids are finding it harder and harder to cope.

More on flood restoration.

Before a flood, learn what business can do to prepare for flood water damage and how to recover from it.