What's REALLY going on in the flood areas

Well, we hit the streets of the SW side of Cedar Rapids effected by the flood this week and there were a few surprises...

1) I can't believe how well a lot of folks are doing. My fellow canvassers (is that a word?) and I went door-to-door to help give the city one big map of every home touched by the flood. Where are folks at? Mucked out? Rebuilding? Rebuilt? Most common answer was "rebuilding" and "rebuilt." A lot of folks affected by the great flood got on the ball, called on family and friends and churches and charities for help and got to work. Iowans are quietly resilient. I wonder how many people though are still quietly hurting inside?

2) Unfortunately there are still a few "eyesores" right next door to the rebuilds of people who have simply walked away and haven't even mucked out their homes. Sad angle to this story: We have all the volunteers we need for the job and we will do it for free; it's just tracking down these homeowners. Who are they? How do you get ahold of them to offer our help? Hopefully this canvassing will turn up a few names. Stay tuned. (BTW, This could cost the homeowners and/or taxpayers an arm and a leg to scoop off the curb after FEMA money for debris removal dries up June 12th. I'm told $2,000 a house.)

3) So far the canvassing has turned up 140 new homeowners who said they would like help! That's awesome! What a feather in the Recovery Coalition's hat. Of course, many of those folks will likely be whittled down as they attempt to qualify for help, but in the end, it will most likely mean a number of new projects for the thousands of volunteers coming in from out-of-state. Thanks to all the kind-hearted folks from First Lutheran Church for helping with this much needed, very fruitful survey! You ARE the hands and feet of Christ. Good job!