Palo Residents Get First Glimpse of Damage

By Photo Journalist, Jonathan Gregg

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By (BI) Andrew Geisthardt

Story Created: Jun 16, 2008 at 8:04 PM CST

Story Updated: Jun 17, 2008 at 2:31 PM CST

PALO - Many residents of Palo got their first glimpse of what the floodwaters left behind Monday.

Today more families got the first look at the home after evacuating the town nearly a week ago. The firefighters and building inspectors are checking each and every home looking for dangerous levels of gas, toxic fumes and a sturdy foundation.

The concern at this point and time is making sure the foundations are good and solid so they can come in and rebuild.

As long as the water table is up residents need to be advised to stay out of the basements.

They were on the floor when it shook and a large portion of the foundation caved in.

Something cracked and banged and I came out and felt the floor buckle underneath. We came out around the house and the basement wall collapsed in. It took the air concern, gas meter and everything else. And the garden is now in the basement.

The floodwaters are receding and the ground is saturated leaving many homes vulnerable. I have been riding along this morning and they say there are 400 homes in the city and the city plans to have all of the homes initially inspected by the end of the day.

If your house has a yellow placecard on the door/window, the homeower is allows limited entry. You are allowed to clean or remove items, but you are not allowed to occupy the residence.

If your house has an orange placecard on the door/window, the property is unsafe to enter. Do not enter the building. It is not, however, a condemnation order.

Call 319-892-5130 with questions or for information.

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