To make the most of a disaster scenario and pave a path for a strong recovery, Iowa city leaders say they must uplift the businesses that keep the community’s economic wheels turning. Here’s how some have turned adversity into opportunity.
The program launches this fall to get residents involved in planting and taking care of right-of-way trees
The county-hosted panel discussion on Thursday highlighted the kind of work that would better prepare the community and its residents for future disasters. In particular, panelists said immigrant and refugee populations, elderly residents and smaller communities are the most vulnerable.
Dwight Hughes Jr. dreamed of a city park where Hughes Nursery originally stood for all Cedar Rapids to enjoy. Now, the new park will serve as a conservation area that honors Hughes family history.
The city of Marion will receive $9.8 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to aid with recovery from the 2020 derecho, Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson announced Thursday.
Three organizations in the Corridor, including Brucemore in Cedar Rapids, received funds from the Iowa Economic Development Authority through the Historic Preservation Tax Credit program for a total of $5.17 million.
The city of Cedar Rapids has launched a survey to find homeowners still making derecho-related repairs. Responses will help local officials use $2.5 million being awarded to Linn County specifically for derecho repairs.
Panel discussion, Q&A set for 6 p.m. Thursday at CSPS
The derecho cleanup at this Marion park was not eligible for FEMA reimbursement, so it wasn’t completed until this summer.
A $25,000 grant from CN Railway and America in Bloom will support the city’s “ambitious” partnership with Trees Forever to replant trees downed in the 2020 derecho.
Action comes after weaknesses identified in 2020 derecho response
A Burlington contractor accused of taking money from four Linn County homeowners for derecho repairs but never finishing the work has agreed to plead guilty to first-degree theft charges, according to Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks.
Nicole Andrew and her kids moved back into their home just 2 weeks ago after it was destroyed in the 2020 derecho. She’s among a number of property owners whose efforts to swiftly fix homes for various reasons stalled in the 2 years after the disaster.
Homeowner Mark Sutton of Cedar Rapids is not alone: Roughly 4,700 derecho-related claims filed by policyholders in Iowa remain open, according to the state insurance division.
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