Source
r/cedarrapids•
Hawkize31

I am so proud of my city

Born in the Quad Cities, I moved to Cedar Rapids 3 years ago for work, not knowing much about the city, and I was never really a big part of the community. I kind of keep to myself. When the crest prediction was raised from 24 to 25.3, suddenly I found my house in serious danger. My family came up the help sandbag my house today, and we were at a couple different sites and spent hours working to protect my house.

I have met more selfless, amazing people today alone than I have met in my entire life. I met people in no danger from the flood helping fill sandbags. I met people that showed up to the sandbag sites with empty trucks only to help others who needed it. I met people who posted on Facebook offering to DELIVER SANDBAGS TO PEOPLE'S HOMES and came through in their offer when we posted.

I'm only 29 years old, but I have never been so proud of my community like I'm proud of Cedar Rapids after today. So many people are working so hard to help others, and its incredibly inspiring. After I finalize my house's protection, I WANT to go volunteer - I am inspired by this community. For 3 years I've felt like a Quad Citian living in Cedar Rapids. Today I feel like a true Cedar Rapidian, and I never want to leave.

Posted Sep 25, 2016, 3:47 AM UTC

3212
elisenotelsie•

I just moved here in December from Texas, been in our house since February. we live in Time Check (LOL WTG) and someone knocked on our door at 10pm. I assumed the worst and it was the city coming to kick us out, but it was someone asking if we needed more sandbags. I could have cried. I was born and raised on the east coast, the people there aren't friendly.....at all, basically. I've never felt more at home than I do right now, regardless of having to leave my house. Thank you, kind and generous human beings of Cedar Rapids. Good luck to everyone as well.

15
merepuppy•

Even u/IanPatrick1966 has reduced his usual trolling and stepped in to give serious answers about sump pumps and such. So proud.

11
ExplodingToasterOven•

Well, if you need trolling... Just remember, god is punishing you all! Mostly for living in a city built at a bend in a river fed by a massive massive floodplain. And theoretically for eating pork and shellfish on friday, while wearing cloth made from multiple fiber sources.

http://ifis.iowafloodcenter.org/ifis/app/?snap_view=fmap

Now if you follow the link, and click on Ceder Rapids, you will soon discover just how massive the watershed is that gets to feed the routine deluges of your own little River City. Back of the napkin figuring, about 30,000 square miles of watershed feeds your river. If somewhere up north gets hammered with rain for 3-4 months, and your city is dry as a bone, that WILL change.

If any of you are on the fence about getting your house more flood proof, that little factoid should cure you of the notion that this flood is just a fluke. Nah... In practical terms downtown Cedar Rapids really needs to be raised up about 20 feet, and 30-40 foot berms installed along the river like in New Orleans. Er, well, like New Orleans was planning to. Sort of like how Cedar Rapids made plans after 2008 flood.

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/09/why-doesnt-new-orleans-look-like-amsterdam/402322/

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/weather/2016/09/23/iowa-flooding-cedar-rapids-still-lacks-levees-years-later/90908190/

Anyway.. Things to consider for the future, because flooding is a feature of this region, and not a 1 in 500 year fluke. http://www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/flood_prevention.htm

http://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/plumbing/install-a-sump-pump/

https://www.tripplite.com/shared/literature/white-paper/how-to-select-inverter-for-sump-pump-white-paper.pdf

And some landscaping tips for water diversion.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/how-to/a7661/5-ways-to-stop-runoff-from-ruining-your-lawn/

http://www.lakesuperiorstreams.org/stormwater/toolkit/swales.html

3
untamed-reborn•

You jest, but a local church that I grew up in would tell me that my house being in danger is because I left their church. Also, after 08 the pastors wife said that they would not help people who rebuilt or moved in the flood zone.

3
merepuppy•

I feel like those kinds of "churches" should always be in quotation marks.

5
untamed-reborn•

I typically call it a cult. They tried to tell my mom to kind of "separate" herself from my life when I left.

3
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
pheobe720•

I've lived here my entire life & I am constantly proud by the people here. A group of us went to sandbag & met so many people from all walks of life who just want to help each other. Cedar Rapids is amazing!

8
RotaryPeak2•

We really are a pretty outstanding group of people. We deserve public servants that are as outstanding.

7
[deleted]•

[deleted]

0
IanPatrick1966•

Welcome now you know why those of us born and raised here love this city so much.

5
[deleted]•

[deleted]

3
banjaxe•

Less proud when you find out the looting started last night, I bet.

-13
suddenimpulse•

I have not heard of any looting?

7
ElysiumTan•

Where? Haven't heard a thing. I know that the police may take longer to respond to problems so I urge people to make sure to secure their homes/cars/belongings just in case but I haven't heard of any issues thus far.

3