Tired, but not defeated, flood victims ready to rebuild

By Linda Petty
CNN.com Writer

DAVENPORT, Iowa -- Midwest residents along the swollen Mississippi River are physically and emotionally fatigued after fighting off floodwaters for weeks, but few want to give up life on the river.

American Red Cross volunteer Peter Teahen traveled from Davenport up to Dubuque and back again, and said he saw "people of all ages who had been throwing sandbags or moving their possessions around, trying to avoid the water ... not eating or sleeping well."

RESOURCES Flood victims needing Red Cross assistance should call 1-800-272-2684    VIDEO Davenport may flood because the city government prefers tourist and business dollars over an occasional disaster. CNN's Lilian Kim reports Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN's Bob Franken reports on flooding in the town of Davenport, Iowa Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)    INTERACTIVE Techniques for fighting floodwaters    CNN WEATHER FORECASTS Davenport, IA La Crosse, WI Shakopee, WI Grand Forks, ND Granite Falls, MN    RESOURCES CNN weather satellite: U.S. North Central TheIowaChannel.com - Worst Mississippi Flooding Hitting Quad Cities   ALSO River crests earlier than expected in Davenport

But he said a positive attitude grew from neighbors and strangers pulling together.

"I couldn't believe all the people who showed up and helped me throw sandbags or helped me protect my possessions," was a typical comment the agency spokesman heard.

Teahen also saw a lot of frustration, anger and grief that he said was not unusual in a long-term disaster like a flood.

"Just feeling defeated. They'll naturally strike out in anger -- fist-in-the-sky type thing," he said, adding he heard some victims say, 'If only we had done... or next time we should have done this and maybe we would have made it.'"

The Red Cross has served about 1,000 meals a day in the Quad Cities area to both flood victims and workers shoring up the levees.

An estimated 350 people have been displaced from their homes by floodwaters, but few have taken advantage of shelters. Teahen suspects that number will grow when the displaced families wear out their welcome at the homes of families and friends.

He also thinks some families will move back into their own homes, even if the bottom level of their house is still flooded.

"Many of the homes are designed that way along the Mississippi. The first floor is garage and general storage that can take the water, and they can still be protected by living on the second floor and out of water's reach."

The Red Cross has dispatched more than 350 disaster workers throughout the region and positioned supplies and equipment.

Agency health counselors are walking some flood areas, trying to give victims a chance to vent their frustration and anger, and offering assistance. Outreach teams only recently entered some areas along the Mississippi, where they are trying to determine what people's needs are and offering financial assistance.

"Part of the problem with floods is that you can't get back into the house to find out what families have lost until the water goes down," said Teahen. "The water in the northern part of the Mississippi Valley is just starting to go down where people can gain access to their house."

But few talk about leaving their homes along the river.

"There's just a sense of rebuilding, not abandoning. That this is where we love. 'We love being on the river and we want to stay here'; 'We're not going to move out," Teahen said residents constantly told him.

He also said many communities have worked hard since the 1993 flood to protect their homes and towns from the floods.

Mississippi breaches levee in town near Davenport
April 23, 2001
Davenport ballpark flooded as Guard sends more troops
April 22, 2001
Iowa levees feel weight of Mississippi
April 21, 2001
More rain forecast for flooded Midwest
April 20, 2001
Long weekend of rain threatens flooded Midwest
April 19, 2001

Federal Emergency Management Agency
Iowa National Guard
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
The National Weather Servicee
Quad City Times Newspaper
  • Flood2001.com

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