Midwest flooding cleanup begins

The flooding that has inundated much of the Midwest over the last few weeks is not over, as the Mississippi River, swollen by its northern tributaries, continues to threaten dozens of communities downstream in Illinois and Missouri. And floodwater is still standing as far north as Iowa City.

An estimated 35,000 people have been displaced by the floods, and 24 have been killed in what the federal government describes as the biggest disaster it has faced since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Early estimates suggest that the extent of the cleanup will be unlike anything some of the flooded cities have experienced. And some of what the water left behind is toxic, experts said, possibly tinged with raw sewage or chemical runoff from agriculture.

In Cedar Rapids alone, it is estimated that the 4,200 flooded houses are producing about a ton of debris each, mostly heavy appliances, electronics and furniture. Beyond that, businesses, schools, hospitals, churches and government offices are flooded, bringing the city’s total flood-related garbage load to about 300,000 tons, officials estimated.

A typical garbage truck can handle about four tons of trash.

Statewide, officials said it was too early to predict how much clearing and cleaning would have to be done. Although Cedar Rapids was hardest hit, the flood ran through the core of the state, roughly from Mason City to Des Moines.

Even in some cities where the crest had passed, water was still 10 to 12 feet above flood level. “It’s taking a long time to recede,” said Barb Lynch, an official with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Total crop loss in Iowa — including hay and pasture — is most likely nearing $3 billion. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has already approved more than $16 million in grants for individuals and households in the state, an amount that will probably increase.

“These floodwaters are all contaminated with Lord knows what — everything that’s been washed out of the sewer plants and garages, basements, businesses, manure,” said Doug Hawker, an environmental specialist with the Department of Natural Resources. “It’s bad. We honestly don’t know what all is in it, but it’s an absolute witch’s brew.”

Devastation from nearly a month of severe weather and flooding is widespread. Thousands have been forced from their homes across six states, and 24 deaths and 150 injuries have been directly blamed on the disaster.

Rural areas such as Lincoln County suffered the worst. More than 300 homes were flooded after more than 90 per cent of the county's levees were inundated.

The heavy rains and intense storms that sparked the flooding in early June have disappeared from weather forecasts with just seasonal rainfalls now predicted, said National Weather Service meteorologist Ben Miller.

The flooding also damaged several grain crops in Iowa, Illinois and other states.

More than a million hectares of corn and soybeans have been ruined, agriculture officials said, sending prices soaring on commodities markets.

The U.S. government says it’s making more than $4 billion in disaster relief funding available for the cleanup.