Rebuild Iowa Office: Five Flood Seminars Examine 2008 Floods And How Iowans Can Prepare For Future Disasters

RIO Press Release

FIVE FLOOD SEMINARS EXAMINE 2008 FLOODS AND HOW IOWANS CAN PREPARE FOR FUTURE DISASTERS

Panelists Highlight Protection Efforts, Future Flood Predictions and New Book on Flooding

(DES MOINES) – Community seminars to help people better understand the 2008 Iowa floods and how Iowans can better plan and prepare for future flooding will take place in five communities beginning June 16 and ending July 19.

The events, which are free to the public, are titled “Anatomy of Iowa Floods: Preparing for the Future,” and will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. in Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Waverly, Mason City and Ames.

Topics to be covered include trends in Iowa precipitation; trends in water run-off; work of the Iowa Flood Center; floodplain management strategies; water quality; the Cedar Falls Floodplain Initiative; rural-urban watershed coalition building; and a review of state public policy issues. The presentations will be followed by a question and answer session.

“We are excited to be a part of this effort to educate Iowans about what communities can do to reduce future flood damage,” said Rebuild Iowa Office Executive Director Lt. General Ron Dardis. “Nearly 700 Iowa communities were impacted by the 2008 disasters. Events like this help ensure Iowans are better prepared for future disasters and are knowledgeable about what possible flood protection measures are available for their communities.”

Following each forum, refreshments will be served and a limited number of free copies of the book, “A Watershed Year: Anatomy of the Iowa Floods of 2008,” will be available to attendees.

The seminars are being hosted by the University of Iowa’s Center for Global & Regional Environmental Research, Rebuild Iowa Office, UNI Center for Energy and Environmental Education, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension, Iowa League of Cities and the Iowa State Association of Counties.

Flood Seminar Schedule, 4 to 6 p.m.

  • June 16 – Burlington City Council Chambers in Burlington
  • June 21 – Kirkwood Community College Training & Outreach Services Bldg. in Cedar Rapids
  • June 30 – Waverly-Shell Rock High School Auditorium in Waverly
  • July 14 – North Iowa Community College Muse Norris Center in Mason City
  • July 19 – Ames City Council Chambers in Ames

Juli Probasco-Sowers
Rebuild Iowa Office
(515) 242-5234 (o)
Fax: (515) 242-5006

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