Long term flood continues to reveal damages

The Omaha World Herald today says..."50 days of flooding and counting". And, although the Corps will be lowering releases from Gavin's Point Dam from 160 kcfs to 150 kcfs at the end of July, baseline levels will remain high at least through mid-August. Latest Corps predictions show 150kcfs releases continuing at least until August 12. The Corps says that because of water draining from adjacent floodplains, there will be no noticeable drop even with this reduction in releases.

Relatively dry weather in the lower basin, with most rain events being sporadic and scattered has meant that levels have retreated from their highs but remain fairly level. However, rain in the Big Sioux River watershed pushed levels to a probable record in Sioux City today. The focus for most flood fighting has been shoring up soggy levees, attacking sand boils, pumping seepage from behind protected areas and basic pump maintenance. Sandbags continue to be filled in many areas, applied to new trouble spots.

Confusion with flood insurance has led to some new legislation changing some of FEMA's rules and the Corps and FEMA have begun collecting flood damage claims. The process will prove to be long and frustration for the many people damaged in the flood. Many counties affected have not received federal major disaster declaration from the President.

As flooding continues, inundated houses have been collapsing, new channels appear to be forming, mold is spreading and mosquitoes have been relentless. The oppressive heat has made all flood fighting more dangerous and exhausting. Some residents have just recently been able to view their flooded homes in rural areas shut down from access, and have been shocked at the damage. The Decatur bridge is experiencing undermining of its approach ramps and highways still under water have an undetermined amount of erosion and saturation damage. The Corps continues to check their dams, release tunnels and spillways for erosive damage. They continue to assure that dams are operating as designed.

Officials worry that the good news of drawdowns by the Corps might catch people off guard if there is rain later. Unlike many flood events, there is no real predicted "crest". Additional rain will continue to cause spikes in river levels that will need to be watched. As many of the stories below reveal, people and businesses continue to suffer, and are still unable to know just how much they've been effected by this prolonged flood.

Here's some links to news stories published on the web about how communities are coping with the flood.

Aerial Photography

• From Lee Valley Auctions - Missouri River Flooding 2011 
• Omaha World Herald -July 15, 2011 
• Earth Observatory - Map links to archive of satellite photos of Missouri River flooding 
• Photos by John Dame - a set of photos starting June 17, ending July 15 
• Iowa State Patrol - a series of flood photos

Opinion/Analysis

• Sioux City Journal - July 17. 2011 - "Water Storage Question must be answered"  A letter to the editor laying out the crucial question - how much room should be left in dams at end of winter. 
• Sioux City Journal - July 17, 2011 - "Let the Missouri River be a river" 
• Robert Kelley Schneiders ongoing blog on Missouri River flooding (Schneiders is author of "Unruly River" a history of change on the Missouri River) 
• MSNBC - July 12, 2011 - "Some say environmental groups share flooding blame" 

While the formation of a "Missouri River Working Group" at the federal representative level suggests a "new spirit of cooperation", the ghosts of Missouri River issues past continue to lurk. Here's a couple of opposing opinions on that:

• From the office of US Rep. for Missouri Blaine Luetkemeyer - Press Release July 15, 2011 - "Luetkemeyer River Amendments Protect Missouri Taxpayers and Communities" 
• Editorial by Dave Helling, - July 15, 2011 - "Missouri's politicians voted to kill river study similar to the one they now seek" & Helling's piece published in KC Star - July 12, 2011 - "Drive to better manage river on-again, off-again"  

Corps of Engineers begins claims process
The Corps has opened two different processes for levee districts or individuals filing either claims on damages to property or to request assistance in levee rehabilitation. Here's a couple links

• "Filing a claim for damages..." The Corps is not promising payments for damages, but has begun a process for people to begin filing claims. This is the Omaha District. 
• Resources for levee rehabilitation or alternatives to rehabilitation. Kansas City District.

Wyoming/Montana
Billings Gazette - July 21, 2011 - "Buffalo Bill Reservoir Fills" 
Billings Gazette - July 10, 2011 - "Hell & High Water - Fort Peck Marina owner battered by flooding" 

Dakotas
Bismarck Tribune - July 21, 2011 - "Bismarck asks residents to limit water use" Sediment both suspended in the water and piling up at the water plant intake has lowered the water plant capacity. 
Bismarck Tribune - July 20, 2011  - "Flood victim turns heartbreak into poetry" With great video as well.
Bismarck Tribune - July 19, 2011 - "Corps discusses this year's releases, next year's plans" 
& "Regulatory tunnels holding up at Garrison Dam" 
Bismarck Tribune - July 15, 2011 - "Oil spill hits the Missouri River south of Williston"
CNN - July 12, 2011 - "How long will Missouri mega-flood endure"


Nebraska/Iowa
KCAU - TV9 - July 19, 2011 - "WinnaVegas Casino to reopen thanks to amphibious duck boats"
& "Dam Debris Piling Up"
Omaha World-Herald - July 21, 2011 - "50 days of flooding and counting"
Omaha World- Herald - July 19, 2011 - "Fighting flood is a daily battle" 
Washington County Pilot-Tribune and Enterprise (Blair/Fort Calhoun Area) - "Nobody told us it was going to be this bad" & "Glimpse of Damage from Flooding" & "Still a lot of confusion about flood insurance" & "Disaster plea includes individual assistance" & "Farmers play waiting game with flood"
WOWT Channel 6, Omaha - July 14, 2011 - "What will be left when the flood recedes?"
Sioux City Journal - July 14, 2011 - "Conditions improve at Nebraska nuclear plants"
Radio Iowa - July 21, 2011 - "Missouri River trouble coalition proposal gaining momentum" An effort to bring states together to address Missouri River management
KMEG 14 - July 20, 2011 - "Dealing with mold after the water recedes"
KCAU - July 13, 2011 - "Social Media Helps people stay current on flood information" 
Omaha World-Herald - July 12, 2011 - "Flood forces creative commuting" 
Omaha World-Herald - July 12, 2011 - House OK's flood insurance bill"

Missouri/Kansas
Maryville Daily Forum - July 21, 2011 - "Holt County Organizing Flood Claims Effort" 
St. Joseph News-Press, July 20, 2011 - "Up close it's pretty devastating - Officials must wait to begin flood cleanup"
Kansas City Star, July 12, 2011 - "Farmland in Carroll County covered with floodwaters" 
Missouri National Guard Blog - July 12, 2011 - "Guardsmen rescue family from flooding home"
St. Louis Post-Dispatch - July 12, 2011 - "McCaskill, Blunt say Missouri River summit aims to get beyond old battles"
St. Louis Post-Dispatch - July 13, 2011 - "Federal Flood Insurance confuses many along Missouri River basin"