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Midwest Floods - June 2008

| Posted: 6/17/2008

Medium-sized image unavailable for this photo.
Representatives from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the State Historical Society of Iowa, the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance, and the National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library show support for saving the flood-ravaged Bohemian Commercial Historic District.

Credit: Jennifer Sandy, National Trust Midwest Office

The record-breaking floods across the Midwest have not only affected the lives and livelihoods of countless people, they have also destroyed or damaged numerous cultural institutions, public buildings, rural landscapes, and historic districts.

Working with our partners, the National Trust for Historic Preservation is helping Midwesterners respond to the damage caused by these floods, providing resources, technical assistance, and support to affected areas. 

Donate to flooded Main Street communities

Support Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin towns hit by this summer's floods: Charles City, Waverly, Elkader, Waterloo, and Burlington, Iowa; and Clarksville and Louisiana, Missouri.

Volunteer Workers Discover Hidden History in Cedar Rapids

A youth group doing volunteer clean-up work discovers what the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance thinks could be one of the city's oldest homes. 

Resources for Dealing with Flood Damage and Helpful Links

Many older and historic buildings in the Midwest have been affected by the recent flooding. The documents below offer a guide to helping property owners minimize structural and cosmetic flood damage.

Information on Damaged Historic Resources

Affected States

Iowa

  • Repair or Demolish? Protecting the investment in your older home - A guide for Iowa property owners affected by flooding, including reasons why repair of your older home may be a better financial decision than demolition, and giving contact information for Iowa preservation groups.
  • The State Historical Society of Iowa has created a flood response webpage with helpful resources and links. 
  • The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is urging Iowans to report recent flood, storm and tornado damage of cultural, historical and art properties and assets to a special email account and through a series of upcoming conference calls, including but not limited to art galleries, art museums, performance art centers, artist's studios, historic buildings, cemeteries, archaeological sites, artifacts, museum collections and archives.  Email CulturalResources.Flooding@iowa.gov with reports of damage, or take part in one of three conference calls scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 19; 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24; and 1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26. Iowans should call toll-free at 866-685-1580; the conference code is 5152816320#.
  • Brucemore, a National Trust Historic Site, is not flooded and plans to become a response center for Cedar Rapids' cultural resource recovery efforts.  Visit their website for a press statement and contact information; additional details on Brucemore's response can be found on the National Trust Historic Sites Weblog.
  • The Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance has posted helpful materials and technical information on their webpage. 
  • Main Street Iowa, part of the Iowa Department of Economic Development, have sent staff to affected Main Street communities and are providing technical assistance to their network.
  • The Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area encompasses many of the counties hardest-hit by flooding.  While operating out of a virtual office because of damage to their historic building, they are helping to spread the word about volunteer needs in the Heritage Area and supporting their partner sites. 
  • The Iowa Cultural Coalition has flood recovery information on their webpage.
  • The Iowa State Extension Office webpage includes helpful resources for homeowners and specific information for agricultural properties and landscapes damaged by flooding.
  • Iowa Governor Culver and Lt. Governor Judge have set up a 2008 Flood Resource Center with contact information, resources, news and updates, and donation and volunteer opportunities.

Illinois

  • The State of Illinois has posted a flood response page on its website that contains information on counties affected by the floods, road closures, shelter locations, and calls for volunteer assistance, as well as numerous links to disaster recovery resources.

Missouri

Wisconsin

  • The Wisconsin Historical Society website has a page to help property owners manage disaster, including tips for drying out your building, how to handle insurance claims, and how to select a contractor.