I'm using my diary today to send thoughts, wishes, and prayers to our fellow Americans in Iowa. I know this isn't new news, but the devastation is terrible and promises to only get worse. I also have a major nit to pick with Michael Chertoff, but that is hardly surprising, is it?
MSNBC reports
Flooding rivers across Iowa forced more residents to evacuate, with at least 10,000 people in Cedar Rapids among them as the rising Cedar River burst its banks Thursday.
Rescuers had to use boats to reach many stranded residents in the city of 120,000, and people could be seen dragging suitcases up closed highway exit ramps to escape the water. It wasn't clear just how high the river had risen because a flood gauge was swept away by the swirling water.
And yes, it's raining there right now. Again. Still. So if good thoughts can help, send them some. Or maybe send some help this way:
Red Cross
Dr Greg Forbes on the Weather Channel just reported that flood crests will break previous records by 12 feet. He says that is unheard of.
And what does Michael Chertoff have to say? From the same MSNBC report:
Chertoff said government relief would be forthcoming but the department also needed to keep some resources in reserve with the onset of hurricane season.
Not "We will do everything we can to help these people." but, "Well, we will do what we can, but we have to save some stuff just in case." I'm sure the folks in Iowa with nowhere to go, no food and no water will understand that the federal government has to ration supplies, just in case.
When do we get to be the country who really takes care of those in dire straits? How hard is it to order more bottled water, food supplies, etc in the richest country in the world?
This is just so wrong.
I'm praying for you, Iowa.
Update from DesMoinesRegister.comat 9:20PM CDT
Water plant at 25% Floodwater covered an area equal to 100 city blocks, said Mike Goldberg, Linn County's public information officer.