Floods Of Memories From 2008

From the archives:

Ten years ago today the Cedar River in the downtown area of Cedar Rapids, Iowa reached a crest of an unprecedented 31.2 feet. The far reaching implications of this were not yet completely felt by the ravaged homes and businesses there. This nightmare scenario was the culmination of non-stop rain upstream and in the city for many days previous. Fear and apprehension was in expressed by many, including me on Wednesday, June 11, 2008, two days before the crest. I left for work downtown a little earlier than normal that morning, hearing of the rising water levels and wanting to document photographically at least some part of the event before access to the river area became restricted or denied. Above, the Interstate 380 5-in-1 Bridge is captured from the First Avenue Bridge at 6:45 am CDT. Little did anyone know that in just two days the I-380 bridge would be the only access across the Cedar River.

6:48 am. Looking SE toward the Second Avenue Bridge and City Hall. Water levels here at this time was about 19.6 feet.

6:50 am. Another view of the Second Avenue Bridge from the First Avenue Bridge, with the Alliant Tower seen at left.

About 7:00 am and now relocated to the Third Avenue Bridge. Looking NW toward the Second Avenue Bridge.

Seen here from the Third Avenue Bridge is the City Parkade with the Alliant Tower in the background. This and the previous four images were captured from my Kodak Z812 digital camera.

Just after noon on Wednesday, June 11, 2008. With reports that the Second and Third Avenue bridges would be closing soon, I walked down to the river (in the rain) on my lunch hour, borrowing a co-worker's HP Photosmart M730 digital camera to capture some shots. This was the scene from the east side of the Third Avenue Bridge looking west, with water now almost to the top of the bridge's arch structures. The bridge would be closed to the public in less than an hour.

Closeup of the City Parkade from the same location.

Same location and a view of City Hall on May's Island.

My wife and me are photographed as cleanup volunteers in the basement of Cedar Christian Church on Saturday, June 21, 2008.