Learn from the ice jam

Gazette Editorial Board

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Ice jams in March along the Cedar River above Cedar Rapids' 5-in-1 dam are not unusual. Even the surprisingly huge ice jam of two weeks ago left little major flooding damage in Cedar Rapids, as it turned out.

However, as the event unfolded over several days, it raised fears among many near northwest-side residents with still-vivid and painful memories of our epic 2008 flood. And, as fear spread, the city government's response to the situation was questioned by many of those neighbors.

Some residents accused city officials of being slow to answer their anxious calls, emails and text messages as water began flowing down streets in the Ellis Boulevard area. During a joint interview we conducted Monday, David Elgin, Public Works Director, acknowledged concerns presented by neighborhood spokesperson Linda Seger and business owner Al Pierson that the situation would have been less threatening if city sandbags and pumps had arrived sooner on March 12. Elgin and Steve Hershner, Utilities Director, noted other actions were being taken as conditions worsened, but said they'll review the incident and consult Army Corps of Engineers experts.

City officials also reached out to request discussion time at the Northwest Neighbors Neighborhood Association meeting, set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Flamingo Restaurant.

Good to hear.

City staff must be sensitive to constituents who dealt first hand with the horror of the 2008 flood and whose anxiety levels were likely high as floodwater began flowing into local streets again.

Then, follow-up. Review and, as appropriate, improve procedures and training for response to Mother Nature's extremes. As the ice jam reminded us, that's a never-ending, vital task for local government.

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