CEDAR RAPIDS - Don't wait for the city or the federal government. Galvanize and tell leaders what you need. That's what the city's flood adviser told members of the media. David Roberts, Recovery Adviser to Cedar Rapids, spoke at an editorial meeting at The Gazette on Thursday.

Roberts has seen disasters around the world and he's in Cedar Rapids as a loaned executive. He's attending all flood related meetings, listening to the concerns of the community and then advising city leaders on next steps.

He says people in flooded neighborhoods need to present a united front. They have to be specific and in agreement about what they need and then clearly present those needs to the city council. He complimented the Time Check and Czech Village neighborhoods for what they've done.

Roberts also recommends forming an Economic Planning Redevelopment Corporation. The goal of the corporation would be to bring together big companies and local government to invest in the community. But a vital part of the next phase of rebuilding starts with sharing information.

"Communication Communication Communication. So the people who were impacted have a clear vision of what's going to happen in 30, 60, 90 days out and what's their role in those decisions," said Roberts.

Roberts also addressed why he thinks the federal government hasn't responded with the same urgency and dollars as after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast. He said the federal government learned it might have given those areas too much money too soon and they want a good plan in place to use resources effectively. That's why Iowa needs to have a strong recovery plan.