Iowa HBA Swings Into Action After Flooding
Unlike most states, Iowa began the year without many money worries, in part because farmers were prospering from high corn and soybean prices. Then came weeks of tornadoes and flooding that drove 38,000 people from their homes.
The Greater Cedar Rapids Area Homebuilders Association joined forces with FEMA to undertake the daunting task of initial home inspections, determining which houses were safe to reinhabit, and which house were beyond repair. Wayne Winn, President of the Association, reports that in just one week, 100 volunteers from the Greater Cedar Rapids HBA completed 5,063 inspections.
Other areas in the state also struggle to return to some form of normal and will undoubtedly feel the floods effects for some time. “Storm damage will have long term effects, not only economically. The usual activites of HBAs will take back seat to the current crisis – members will be physically and emotionally exhausted from the aftermath” says Flora Schmidt, Executive Officer of the Home Builders Association of Iowa. Ms. Schmidt produced a one page checklist of key tips for HBA members.
Initial damage estimates in Iowa have topped $3 billion.
[
return to top ]
|
