Being prepared is key to flood management

Rep. Dave Loebsack

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As the fifth anniversary of the Great Flood of 2008 arrives and we look back on homes that were destroyed and businesses that were lost, we are being given a powerful reminder from Mother Nature about just how devastating floods can be.

The rising floodwaters that were recently seen across Iowa provoked a similar response and feeling to five years ago. Once again, it brought out the sense of community that we saw in that time of need. Neighbors were helping neighbors; strangers showed up with a shovel to help sandbag. We stood ready as communities to respond.

This most recent flooding served as a stark reminder why we have to continue to rebuild and move forward using the lessons learned from the floods of 2008.

As soon as the floods in 2008 struck, I went to work bringing over $4 billion in disaster assistance to Iowans with two recovery bills. This funding was to begin the long cleanup and rebuilding process. In addition to working with local governments, homeowners, and businesses to continue our recovery, I pushed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to move our recovery forward. While we have seen good progress, we have also all learned about how the system works and the improvements it needs.

One of the first things I did after funding was secured was to start the process of modernizing the FEMA flood-mapping process. After hearing from many folks that FEMA had not informed them that their property was located in a flood plain, leading to unexpected and unnecessary expenses, I offered legislation that required FEMA to better communicate to residents when flood maps were being updated, to make sure Iowans knew if their situation changed.

Iowa must also have a strong flood management plan. I have worked to ensure that the Army Corps of Engineers has the ability to work closely with local, state and federal officials. They need the resources to keep the management and operation of critical flood protection infrastructure, such as reservoirs, levees and the locks and dams on the Mississippi, up to date in an evolving environment. Throughout the past few weeks with waters rising, it's clear that people are talking more and sharing better information. The importance of coordinating all of our flood fighting resources together is one of the biggest lessons learned from 2008.

The Iowa Flood Center located at the University of Iowa has been a leader in educating the public about floods. The work they have done here in Iowa needs to be replicated on a national level. There is currently no comprehensive, nationwide flood research effort, which is why I have authored legislation to create a National Flood Center to work on the best solutions for flooding, flood prevention and other flood-related issues.

While we can't predict what future floods will bring, we have seen time and again the importance of our state and communities being prepared for the uncertainties life near our rivers brings. Remembering the 2008 floods is important to help make sure that we remain prepared for anything year after year, and to be proud of the progress we've made even as work on our recovery continues today.

No Iowan will ever forget the Great Flood of 2008 and I will make sure no one in Washington ever does either.

Congressman Dave Loebsack represents Iowa's Second Congressional District.