wfn.org | Flooding takes northeast Iowa by surprise

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

May 21, 1998 News media contact: Thomas S. McAnally*(615)742-5470*Nashville,
Tenn.     10-71B{283}

by Brenda Henning*

DES MOINES, Iowa (UMNS) -- Unexpected flooding visited several communities
in northeast Iowa  the third week of May - in the middle of preparations for
high school graduation.

While high waters forced many people to leave their homes and close
businesses in the communities of Dubuque, Fayette, Oelwein, Volga,
Independence, Central City and others, it didn't stop residents from
celebrating the achievements of their young people.

Communities and local churches quickly joined forces to begin recovery from
the effects of a heavy rain on May 16 that dumped as much as six inches of
water into already overloaded rivers and creeks. Reports indicate that $100
million in damage occurred.

At least 10 counties had been declared disasters by Iowa's governor by May
21.

In Independence - a town that was split by the bulging Wapsipinicon River -
families are planning to share reception facilities at local churches and
other buildings not affected by the water, according to  the Rev. Dennis
Bailey, pastor of the Independence United Methodist Church. In the town of
6,000 residents, a seven-block area west of the river was flooded. The
"Wapsi" as it's referred to by locals, runs through the middle of the
community.

"It's really hard [to assess the damage] right now because we have to wait
for more of the water to recede," said Bailey, who noted  that phone service
and electricity had been cut off for many residents and businesses. Members
of the Independence Church have offered to form volunteer work crews to help
clean up once the water recedes, he said.

Currently the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency
are providing immediate assistance. The United Methodist Committee on Relief
is being  asked to provide long-term assistance.  (Ironically, Independence
was the site of UMCOR-sponsored flood recovery headquarters from the
devastating state-wide floods of 1993.)

In Fayette, Iowa, the First United Methodist Church was spared because it is
located on a hill, but others in town weren't so fortunate, according to the
Rev. Robert Koepcke, pastor of the 187-member congregation. Koepcke invited
the affected congregations to use facilities at First Church for as long as
needed. 

At least two families lost virtually everything, according to Koepcke.
"Right now we have two coats, whereas many others don't have any."

In Oelwein, Grace United Methodist Church and its parsonage had basements
flooded,  reported Sherrie Baker, church secretary.

After flooding in 1979, modifications were made to the church windows which
helped minimize damage in 1993. But this week's flooding was much worse and
water was high enough that it seeped under the church's doors, Baker said.

Water from Dry Run Creek - located behind the church - saturated the carpet.
It may be salvageable but many residents weren't so lucky. The water in one
house reached the kitchen sink. 

"This church has been through a lot of disasters - a fire and a tornado -
but I haven't seen anything like this," Baker said.
# # #

*Henning is editor of United Methodist Life, monthly newspaper of the Iowa
Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  

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