Story Created:
Jun 15, 2008 at 11:01 AM CDT
Story Updated:
Jun 16, 2008 at 9:01 PM CDT
CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids Fire and Police Departments are currently securing the perimeter of the area. A plan has been developed to divide affected areas into ten sectors (
See map or look at image below). Additional National Guard and law enforcement will be used to secure original evacuation areas from looters. Residents will be denied access until the area is secure and homes are deemed safe to re-enter.
Check Points for Each Sector:
A - North side of Harrison at O Ave and 11th Street
B - Abbe Center
C - 1st Ave and 11th St
D - DOT at 16th and 6th
E - J St and 19th Ave
F - Bowling St and 21st Ave
G - 12th Ave and 10 St SE
H - 8th Ave and 10th St SE
I - E Ave and 15th St NE
J - Otis Rd and Memorial
There will be approximately 390 residences in each sector. Each sector will be cleared from the exterior of the sector towards the river. Each sector will have an entry check point. The entry points are being established and will be identified and announced on Sunday, June 15, 2008, at 10:00 AM press conference. Entry will not be allowed prior to noon.
Law enforcement and National Guard will secure the perimeter and check points. The entire perimeter of the area will also be secured by road blocks and roaming patrols. There are certain requirements that must be met to re-enter your area:
- No vehicles will be allowed into the perimeter.
- Only 3 people per residence will be allowed in.
- You may only carry items out on your person.
- No wagons/dollies are allowed in the area.
- Only one trip per household.
Solid Waste is currently preparing for clean up by bringing in transfer trailers for waste removal.
There will be a two step process for re-entry:
Step 1:
A Strike Team will be made up of USAR (Urban Search and Rescue), Cedar Rapids Police and Fire (HAZMAT), Cedar Rapids Streets and Solid Waste, Alliant, Mid American Energy, Building and Housing inspectors, Public Health, Animal Control, National Guard. Strike Teams will be deployed to the ten sectors and go door to door assessing safety, clean up and structural concerns that must be address prior to citizen reentry.
USAR will use search and rescue dogs to aid with search efforts.
Public Health will be responsible for an initial assessment of the evacuation area to determine that the area is safe for the Strike Team.
A system is being developed to mark property that has been deemed safe for residents to go back in. USAR will determine the marking system.
Area ambulance and potential National Guard medics will be staged at check points to take care of medical needs.
It is critical to ensure the safety of the Strike Teams. Tetanus shots will be available to emergency personnel only.
If the structural integrity of a building is in question, an inspector will be called to assess the situation
Step 2:
After a home has been determined to be safe for reentry, a list will be developed and maintained at the entry checkpoint. Residents must show identification at the checkpoint to be allowed reentry after their home has been declared safe. They will be required to sign in and out of the area.
Each resident will be provided with a wristband that will show that they are allowed in that sector. Wristbands may be different colors for different sectors and days to maintain security for access to the area of identified residents in those areas only. Residents will be required to obey a curfew from 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Access will be allowed only from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM.
Clean up will be organized into four categories including appliances, hazardous materials, organic/yard waste, and garbage. Residents will be required to sort waste by those categories.
Large plows will assist with removal of debris on the streets.
Information on how to know when your home has been checked and cleared for access will be made available soon.
The officers that are being utilized in the flood areas for the Strike Team and securing the area are in addition to the officers responding to calls for service. Because of the tremendous assistance from other law enforcement across the state, we are still actively patrolling Cedar Rapids. Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Navy Reserves, and Coast Guard will be aiding our effort and patrolling in secured areas.
It is extremely important that residents and business owners stay out of the area until it has been determined that structures are safe. The Cedar Rapids Fire Department has responded to several gas leaks downtown. There are numerous hazards seen and unseen in the affected area. Please be patient as businesses and homes are checked and cleared. Now is the time when people get hurt because they go into areas that are not secured. We are fortunate that very few injuries have been reported so far. Please help us keep that number down.
Check Points for Each Sector:
A - North side of Harrison at O Ave and 11th Street
B - Abbe Center
C - 1st Ave and 11th St
D - DOT at 16th and 6th
E - J St and 19th Ave
F - Bowling St and 21st Ave
G - 12th Ave and 10 St SE
H - 8th Ave and 10th St SE
I - E Ave and 15th St NE
J - Otis Rd and Memorial
; "Click for Pinpoint Doppler Radar")
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Monday, Jun 16 at 9:28 AM Deb wrote ...
Why is it that the other affected cities have aerial shots.....ooops....I forgot....Cedar Rapids was too cheap to keep our choppers in the air.
Monday, Jun 16 at 9:00 AM Deb wrote ...
I talked to a FEMA rep and he said the deal with entering homes is NOT a FEMA decision....it's the LOCAL CITY government that is behind this stupid, intrusive move! Our homes are not to be entered or broken into..what on earth is wrong with the Cedar Rapids officials??? I have been out of town and wasn't in CR when the evacuation occurred so I haven't been able to get ANY of my belongings out and now I can't even get close to my house to see how bad things are or to get some pictures out!!
Monday, Jun 16 at 7:50 AM WOW wrote ...
In a time where a City is left in devistation, I can not believe there are people in this town pointing fingers, laying blame and making the situation worse than it already is. There is not one person in this City that have not been affected in some way and now is not the time to be stupid. Owners not knowing even how to pump water out of the basement....let your walls collapse because you in hurry to save the rest of your stuff...if basement walls collapse...there goes the rest! BE SMART
Sunday, Jun 15 at 11:54 PM The 4th Amendment ALWAYS Applies wrote ...
The 4th Amendment ALWAYS applies. The Government is here to serve us...not us to serve them. It is time for the Government to either do its job or let the People do it.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 11:20 PM Jason wrote ...
I really cannot believe some of the comments I am seeing. The "government," which is really a mix of GO's (gov't orgs) and NGO's (non-gov't orgs) are doing the best with the situation we have found ourselves in. If you are posting on here, then scroll up, look at each sector to see where you live; each sector has a checkpoint to let you back in. The point of locking the area up is to PREVENT the looting/follow-on crime, and to ensure citizen's safety. 4th amendment does not apply in a disaster..
Sunday, Jun 15 at 10:53 PM The list is WRONG wrote ...
We were on the list and were denied entry. The authorities are really making a mess of this.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 10:52 PM dusing wrote ...
I understand the city should "clear" houses for saftey before letting owners in, but once they do people need to be able to get in there with equipment and try to repair and save their homes from growing mold. The people I have met at the check points don't need to " go in for 15min and check things out", 1. They already did that before the cops showed up, 2. That time is over, some of these houses have had no water gor 48hrs now... ITS TIME TO CLEAN UP. The people are fed up
Sunday, Jun 15 at 10:33 PM So the Government pays the Safety card wrote ...
Oh yes...the Government is here to keep us safe. Where were they when the waters rose and flooded us? Get out of our way and let us get to work saving what is left of our homes and businesses.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 10:03 PM stacy wrote ...
CAn we please try to show more of the flooded homes. We are not being allowed back in and it is causeing so much nerviousness just to know how high it got around our house. I think that this would ease a lot of mind if we just could see the homes. Not businesses. Thanks
Sunday, Jun 15 at 9:27 PM List of homes available for re-entry wrote ...
............."Each checkpoint has a list of streets or locations that are available for reentry. Would it be possible to have this list on this website?"............ The City of CR has the list on their website....http://www.cedar-rapids.org/safehomes.asp
Sunday, Jun 15 at 9:21 PM Stop the stupidity people... its your life they are trying to save wrote ...
.....''we are being told that we cannot even pump water from the baesment. This is a ridiculous, it just makes more damage to the house"....... The reason they are doing checks of the property and before you can pump out the water, is that if you do not heed that the pressure will change while pumping out water, the walls of your basement will collapse and KILL YOU, or too much movement inside will KILL YOU. But go ahead and enter, ignore the people with the degrees in structural engineering.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 9:17 PM Misinformed wrote ...
Continued...at 3 in the afternoon, at the check point some home owners were informed their residence was cleared and they were allowed in, but at 9 at night the website still says non cleared. If you can sit all day in the sun and wait on someone to to finally decide you are worthy of the information, you may - MAY - be allowed to go in your house. If you are not able to make yourself availabe to the authorities when they want you, you will not. Right now I still have a job tomorrow who knows
Sunday, Jun 15 at 9:11 PM Misinformed wrote ...
At the check point we were told to go "home" and watch channel 7 to see if our house had been cleared for re-entry. Ha Ha. Funny, well, if I could go "home" I wouldn't be at the check point. So I left, went to a house where I could watch channel 7 only to find golf on channel 7. I checked the Cedar Rapids City website to see if I could find out the list of homes that had been cleared. The website has no information, to be continued....
Sunday, Jun 15 at 8:26 PM Excuses...Excuses... wrote ...
I agree that many people have done their best. That does not excuse those who are preventing us from reaching our homes and businesses. They have plenty of time to come up with a list of addresses, check points and a plan...a plan that should have been in place since 1993. If they cannot protect my property, let me and my gun do it for them.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 8:07 PM OKAY wrote ...
First of all my heart goes out to all who have been displaced and who desire to get back to their homes. After mandatory evacuations were ordered many people refused to leave and then called for boats to rescue them requiring the efforts of dozens of rescuers and thousands of dollars in public resources. Now people wish to hurry in without checking for the safety of neighborhoods and structures, an act that could result in the consumption of a great deal more resources or even lives. Be patient.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 7:17 PM Crystal wrote ...
As I read through the emails, shame on most of you for taking out your frustration on news teams and local officials. NO ONE was prepared for this,because it has not happened in any of our life time. give them a break,and take your anger and frustration out on the people looking to scam and take advantage of you, in your time of need. and KCRG THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK. ALL OF YOUR REPORTERS HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB. GOD BLESS.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 7:09 PM Anonymous wrote ...
Each checkpoint has a list of streets or locations that are available for reentry. Would it be possible to have this list on this website?
Sunday, Jun 15 at 7:09 PM Monica wrote ...
it look to me like my home is not in any check points. Check point A just kind of cuts off before my house, I think. How do I find out what, if any check point I can go to because the map doesn't have street names. Our house is on Ellis blvd by the swimming pool. If any one knows please share.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 7:04 PM Furious Flood Victim wrote ...
Get a clue 4th amendment activists. Take a break from protesting and being miserable about EVERYTHING all the time. Its not as though this is a normal situation, this is an emergency. Let authorities do their jobs,save your sanctimonious outrage, and shut up. If you got into your home without it being checked and you did something stupid(and chances are you are stupid if you are whining)then you would depend on those you feel are oppressing you to rescue you from your stupidity.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 7:00 PM Looting occurring? wrote ...
We have heard of rumors of looting occurring because of the lack of security. At least let the property owners in so they can protect the property that the police cannot or will not protect.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 6:25 PM Anonymous wrote ...
Dubuque Friend, I believe you need to check out this site for volunteering www.flood2008.org. I agree the police are pretty clueless about what to do right now. I know the area that was flooded around me is not being controlled very well. There are tons of people coming and going and vehicles. The yellow police line that was tied was tore down and the cones were moved or taken altogether.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 6:08 PM Anonymous wrote ...
Why is the fire dept. prying doors open on houses do they want to make it easier for looters?!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, Jun 15 at 5:55 PM Dubuque Friend wrote ...
Some of us helped in New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina and are willing to come help clean, gut, carry out debris, bleach mold, whatever is necessary. Who/Which agency(ies) is/are coordinating teams of volunteers to help homeowners who would like assistance?
Sunday, Jun 15 at 5:49 PM anonymous wrote ...
Mt son has a flooded basement, little damage to the first floor and we are being told that we cannot even pump water from the baesment. This is a ridiculous, as days go on with all this water, it just makes more damage to the house, all we want to do is get the water out and we were told that the task force in his area wasn't even formed yet, The City is playing a game, we own this property and we want in, we are doing the work, not them.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 5:15 PM Every Day Delayed Means More Damage wrote ...
To the Government...every day you delay me in clean up means more expensive damage occurring. The more expensive it becomes, the less likely I will restore my property. If I do not restore my property, you lose my property taxes. It is in YOUR best interest to allow me to access my property ASAP. All the delays we are seeing are costing YOU money. Cut the cr*p and let us get to the cleanup ASAP. Thank you.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 5:15 PM kevin wrote ...
is I-80 open?
Sunday, Jun 15 at 4:47 PM 123abc wrote ...
How are these preliminary inspections taking place when our doors are locked? Not everyone's homes are a complete loss, so I hope I mis-heard our Chief of Police when he said that they would be breaking down doors to get in if they had to.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 4:35 PM Where's the list? wrote ...
Where is the list of the affected homes? The authorities are really dropping the ball by not keeping the public more informed. Do I have to hire a plane to fly over my house to find out if it flooded or not?
Sunday, Jun 15 at 3:53 PM Anonymous wrote ...
As each day goes by and I can not enter my home, more water damage is being done. As a landlord, FEMA does not offer me anything other than a possible home loan to repair my property-----my mortgage payments on a rental property still go on---I'm responsible for the damages out of pocket--------let me in my property ASAP.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 3:51 PM Government..get out of my way wrote ...
I am ready to repair my business...government get out of my way!
Sunday, Jun 15 at 3:24 PM ann wrote ...
is there a list of streets somewhere that actually got flooded? I was a mandatory evacuee and I need to know if my house was hit or not! I live in the 1100 block 2nd st sw- please help
Sunday, Jun 15 at 3:11 PM Presidential Disaster area? wrote ...
Does this mean that the government can enter ANY home in Iowa?
Sunday, Jun 15 at 3:05 PM Katherine Marcano wrote ...
I asked everyone to be patient and be more cooperative. My siblings and I lived across the street from the Imax downtown CR, we do not know what the damage is I just know I can not get the kids back in becuause it is not safe and there is no power. My sister is in a wheelchair nd my brother broke a leg. We have cried, we huged and prayed but we are moving on. This is a lot of trauma for the kids and for myself, can't go to work, can't sleep, but we are grateful to God!
Sunday, Jun 15 at 3:04 PM aNN wrote ...
IS PENFORD PRODUCTS UNDERWATER
Sunday, Jun 15 at 3:03 PM Older, cooler head wrote ...
I'd like to send Katie Wiederman of KCRG back to Dubuque. I find her reporting on this situation the epitome of irresponsible journalism . Yes, people are annoyed, tired and frustrated but the majority of the people waiting are NOT on the verge of violence, as she reported. Katie, take your sensationalism and go home - and leave the good, level-headed people of Cedar Rapids alone so that they can cope with this situation without being stirred up by the likes of you!
Sunday, Jun 15 at 2:59 PM karen wrote ...
i understand everyone wanting to get back in there homes but the police and gaurd are just there for your safty and i just wish people could be more understanding that they are doing their job to keep you safe
Sunday, Jun 15 at 2:56 PM To the 4th Amendment Activists Here wrote ...
If they didn't enter the area first to make sure it was safe and someone was injured or killed because it wan't safe, you would be yelling about how they should have made sure it was safe before letting people in. You people just can't be pleased. Let these guys do their jobs and back off. You are only making things more difficult for the officials down there who are already doing a very tough job.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 2:49 PM Anonymous wrote ...
To Big Brother In Action: When the area was declared a Presidential Disaster area. That means that the Federal Government has taken over the area affected by the flood.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 2:48 PM Anonymous wrote ...
I sure wish someone had answers for those that were evacuated and there homes were not touched by the flood waters.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 2:46 PM joe wrote ...
We need let the Police and those who are helping make the decision not you!Maybe you should take a deep breath.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 2:25 PM anonymoussss wrote ...
does anyone know if Penford Products was or is under water? I live on 3rd st. SW...........
Sunday, Jun 15 at 2:17 PM Why is this taking so long? wrote ...
The longer my home is not cleaned and dried out the more damage occurs. I am ready to clean my house NOW, why is government preventing me from doing it?
Sunday, Jun 15 at 2:14 PM What a joke!!! wrote ...
I was there when we tried to return to check our businesses...what a joke! Disorganized, undermanned...no plan in place. If this is any indication of how the recovery is headed, Cedar Rapids is in BIG TROUBLE. If this does not improve QUICKLY, I am moving my business to another town.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 2:04 PM Big Brother in action? wrote ...
When did the Government get the right to enter my house without my permission?
Sunday, Jun 15 at 2:04 PM Anonymous wrote ...
Why are they breaking down doors of homes that were secure, but yet they won't let people in to save their important items. Now how do we protect our property until clean-up can be done???
Sunday, Jun 15 at 1:41 PM craig wrote ...
Is there a phone number for people to call to find out if there house is safe to go to instead of going all the way to a check point to find out. We have relatives staying with us that are wanting to know if they can get to there house, but they are here in Washington and don't want to go all of the way up there and not be able to get to there house.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 1:32 PM to "11:11 AM Anonymous" wrote ...
The station is doing the best they can to get an enormous amount of information out to the public. They have been on the air practically non-stop and doing on a generator! Cut them some slack!
Sunday, Jun 15 at 1:24 PM Tim wrote ...
Remeber the city does NOT have the right to force entry into ANY home, its called the 4th Admendment
Sunday, Jun 15 at 1:15 PM 600 block of J Ave. wrote ...
It would be helpful if there were some street addresses on the map; I am not sure which area we are in and an idea of where the strike teams are in each area. If people knew that they were near their home they could go down and stand vs. having everyone down there concerned. I don't want to go down and wait for hours if there is no chance of getting to my property. Thank you KCRG- you have done a great job of keeping me informed.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 1:01 PM eric wrote ...
was i ave floodded
Sunday, Jun 15 at 1:00 PM lunarnikki wrote ...
First-thanks KCRG 4 keeping us informed. I understand why they're keeping media away from re-entry, however, if they'd communicate with the media about the routes planned so people arent down there too early? I reported, got much misinformation, went to the officer at the check point (who was irritated and screaming) who said "if you are beyond 6th St you are still under and not getting in today". How can we cooperate in chaos? U showed my house & I missed it... can I see? 438 4 Av SW.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 12:58 PM trathjejsr@msn.com wrote ...
I simply can't believe these people that live in apt. that still continue to use the wash machines /w this all going on.I've actually had to chase indiviuLSOUT FROM DOING THEIR CLOTHES. vERY SELFISH HIUMANS.tHANK YOU FOR ALLYOUVE DONE GOD BLESS
Sunday, Jun 15 at 11:59 AM Help??? wrote ...
When will friends and families of these residents be allowed in to help?? The cleanup of these homes an properties will be a monumental task that will not be able to be done by the residents only. Many things are time critical to save, the longer they are left the more damage will be done.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 11:45 AM Mary in WA wrote ...
As a member of our local Medical Reserve Corps, I am very impressed by the planning your Dept of Emergency Mgmt, health dept and other public services have done to ensure the safety of all. A transplant to WA, I still consider myself an Iowan; our prayers and best wishes go out to all of you.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 11:32 AM Anonymous wrote ...
I am confused with the various checkpoints. We had no water in our home or on our property yet we were evacuated. We reentered our home and have our utilities on except gas. Our street is not on these checkpoints yet I can't get the gas turned back on til they come through. Any ideas on what I should do and yes the police do know I am in my home, I have talked to them.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 11:17 AM woodlady_2001@hotmail.com wrote ...
When will Ellis Blvd and L Ave be free to return to and in what quadron is it in.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 11:13 AM concerned granddaughter wrote ...
When will the actual entry checkpoints be established and communicated?
Sunday, Jun 15 at 11:11 AM Anonymous wrote ...
where is the attatched map? You know I am really upset with kcrg. there website is not exactly user friendly.
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