Downton Cedar Rapids during 2008 flood.
A decade after devastating floods, a Linn County official says the Cedar Rapids area still isn’t as prepared as it should be for future disasters.
In June of 2008, the Cedar River flooded cities across eastern Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, which was 14-percent underwater. For years, local officials have lobbied for federal funding for flood control projects, but Linn County Supervisor John Harris says it may be time to ask local taxpayers for the money through a ballot referendum.
“Let the people decide, where they think that a tax increase should go,” Harris says, “and should it go to helping Cedar Rapids or partnering with Cedar Rapids for flood control downtown?” However, Linn County voters have rejected similar proposals in the past, leaving Cedar Rapids with few options to fund its 750-million dollar flood control plan. Harris says it remains a vital issue.
“It’s important to get these flood walls up as soon as we can,” Harris says, “and then we pray that it never happens again.” For now, the plan to build the seven-mile system of walls, pumps and levees along the Cedar Rapids riverfront is — just a plan.
(Thanks to Kate Payne, Iowa Public Radio)