Iowa officials urge resident to prepare for flooding

DES MOINES – Gov. Chet Culver and other state leaders warned Iowans to be alert to potential spring flooding as melting snows and ice jams swell streams and rivers.

“It will flood in Iowa somewhere this year. It always floods in Iowa,” said Wayne Gieselman of the state Department of Natural's Resources.

Hopefully, what flood-related problems do occur will be localized and residents and communities will take advance measures to minimize damages that might occur, he added.

Gieselman made his comments at a Statehouse news conference than marked the launch of a month-long, flood awareness public information campaign to intended to educate Iowans about flood insurance, disaster precautions and other safety facts.

Culver said flood awareness is particularly important since Iowa is still recovering from record floods and storms of 2008 – considered the worst natural disaster to strike Iowa and one of the largest disasters in U.S. history. Ron Dardis of the Rebuild Iowa Office said the 2008 disaster directly affected at least 40,000 Iowans.

“What happened in 2008 has made us all aware of the need to be prepared,” Culver said. “We want all Iowans to understand what resources are available to minimize loss should another flood event occur. It is especially important for Iowans to be aware of whether they live in or near a flood plain, and discuss flood preparations with their families.”

The governor said the areas of most concern currently are in the Des Moines, Raccoon, Iowa and Cedar river basins.

State officials urged Iowans to consider buying flood insurance, noting that about 15,360 flood insurance policies in effect in Iowa.

Iowans may buy flood insurance for a home or business, regardless of whether the property is in a flood plain as long as the community is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program. Iowans can find out whether a particular community is enrolled in the program by visiting the Rebuild Iowa Office's Web site at www.rio.iowa.gov. Other helpful Web sites include  www.FloodSmart.gov and www.bereadyiowa.org for Iowans located in flood-prone areas.

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