Iowa Flood Aid

Iowa Flood Aid

Iowa Flood Aid is an informal organization formed by local Cedar Rapids area business leaders to increase awareness of devastation and turmoil left behind following the Flood of 2008. Iowa Flood Aid does not directley accept financial donations. We request you channel your financial donations to one of the following:

We ask Americans to please help us by donating to the following:

If you are unable to give financially, please donate by using our Blog to tell your stories, upload pictures, or upload video. This is truly a community effort and we need your help.

First, let’s look at the flood's affect on business. Following the flood, many small, medium, and large business owners learned that there is no “financial federal aid” for businesses following disasters. There’s also no flood insurance for businesses that fall within the wrong flood plain. There is a lot of help in terms of food, blankets, security, medical care, and more. For this help, we will be forever thankful. There’s just no financial assistance. Imagine the small family business that is currently owned by a 60-year old couple. They’re ready to hand it down to their children and hopefully their children’s children. That business is now gone. It was washed away with the water that has returned to its banks. There’s no insurance money. There’s no state or federal money to get them back on their feet. They have a choice. They can start over, or they can give up. In Iowa, we don’t give up. We hang the American Flag outside our building, and start putting the pieces back together.

Next, let’s look at the flood's affect on individuals. There’s a 70-year old grandmother whose 2-story house had water on the second floor. Her home is destroyed. Seemingly from nowhere, people in uniform came offering her clothing, blankets, healthcare, and temporary shelter. Without this help, she may not have made it. She’s owned her home since the 1970’s. She hasn’t had a mortgage in over 20 years. She’s barely getting by on Social Security. She’s not fortunate enough to have a pension. It’s been determined her house must be torn down. FEMA is authorized to pay her $28,000. She can’t afford a mortgage. $28,000 won’t buy a home. What does she do? She firmly plants the American Flag in her yard and starts cleaning up, because that’s what we do in Iowa.

America, Iowa needs your help. Please donate. Help these proud people get back on track.