One Month Later: People Finally See Their Homes

By: Steve Nicoles, Reporter

By Steve Nicoles

JOHNSON COUNTY - Most flood victims are focused on the future, wondering about buyouts or waiting to rebuild. But in one Johnson County neighborhood people are just getting back into their homes for the first time in a month. On Stewart Road, someone spray painted "Welcome to hell." They might have a valid point. The water washed away two homes. The neighborhood is trashed. But one woman will not call this hell. For her, it is still home. T. J. Lea said, "We built in all our cabinets, but nothing will budge much.”

Lea is finally cleaning out her flood soaked home. She moved out a month ago. This is the second time she will have to tear the house to shreds. She said, "We're gonna have to cut 2 four feet at least, we might have to cut to six feet depending on what we find."

Lea lifted the home several feet following the ‘93 flood. She does not think she will have to lit it again. Lea plans to move back to her one-bedroom one-bath bungalow on Riverfront Estates along the Iowa River. She said, "I think everyone in the neighborhood would like to be able to live here again."

Frank Janaszak agrees. He learned from ‘93 that a squeegee and a little water will clear the mud right out of your garage. He also built up his home about eight feet. His basement flooded, but the water was about a foot from his main floor. Janaszak said, “You gotta prepare for the future and that's what I did. I prepared for a flood."

Both Janaszak and Lea learned from the past and were better prepared for the current. Eventually they hope to be back home to enjoy the future.

Email Steve Nicoles at Steve.Nicoles@kcrg.com
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Tuesday, Jul 8 at 1:59 PM former owner wrote ...

Some people rebuild on what they have and know the chances they are taking. Starting from scratch is expensive. There are historically places - even in Iowa - that have more tornadoes. Should they pay special insurance or be ridiculed of they choose to rebuild? My heart goes out to people whose minds are clogged with flood thoughts and can't move on quite yet.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 1:59 PM Anonymous wrote ...

why don't we just rebuild a foot underwater!

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 11:42 AM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ wrote ...

Hey lets rebuild back in the flood plain!!!!

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 11:38 AM FLOOD OVER wrote ...

Flood is over, check with Bob Bbbbbbbbbabababaabruce at the "Expierence" hes back to hawking those good feet Dr. Scholl's knock offs. Bob, you're overmodulating again!

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 11:10 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Actually, I lived on Edgewater Drive, and we got the evacuation warning on June 3rd. Also, the water was in our house long before any of the major flooding occurred in Cedar Rapids or Iowa City. We STILL cant technically get back there. So for some people its been over a month.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 10:26 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Regarding 9:29.The reason regular household insurance does not cover floods is because when you live in a flood plain you know the risks. No one forces you to live there. Can you imagine how high all our insurance rates would be if we covered every home that got a flooded basement each year? A tornado or fire can hit anywhere. Flood insurance covers the dwelling, household insurance the contents. If insurance rates were more affordable perhaps more home owners could afford it.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 9:29 AM wonder man wrote ...

I know insur doesn't cover flood but why not? They cover wind damage, lightning, and tornadoes...all acts of nature... Why not flood? Plus I guarantee you they will get you on if it was seepage or sewer. They don't cover all your items like house insurance...doesn't seem fair. So all the people saying have flood insur, that wouldn't solve our problem. I rather have the tornado.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 8:07 AM Lost wrote ...

1 month? Didn't the flooding happen June 13th in CR and around the 16th in Iowa City?? It's only July 8th...

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 3:27 AM Anonymous wrote ...

"She does not think she will have to lit it again." did they mean lift, good editor! (@ this time this is what grammar and spelling is for this story.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 3:03 AM Jeff D wrote ...

When did it flood?

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