Dubuque Volunteers to Help in Flood Recovery

By Katie Wiedemann, Reporter

Looking down 2nd Ave towards the Federal Court House and May's Island after the flood in downtown Cedar Rapids on Sunday, June 15, 2008. (Steve Gravelle/The Gazette)

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By Katie Wiedemann

Story Created: Jul 28, 2008 at 7:17 PM CST

Story Updated: Jul 29, 2008 at 10:44 AM CST

Dubuque - Many people in Dubuque say they were fortunate to escape last month's flood. Some people even say they felt guilty and so they were compelled to help their neighbors in need.

Now the city is planning a series of bus trips to help with demolition and re-building efforts.

The streets of Dubuque sit clean and dry. Downtown businesses prosper. And the Mississippi River is well within its banks.

Cori Burbach said, "we've obviously been pretty lucky that Dubuque hasn't been major effected. We've had some minor damage."

While the rest of the state recovers from Iowa's worst natural disaster, Dubuque's desire to help hasn't disappeared.

On Friday Governor Chet Culver asked a room full of Dubuque Chamber of Commerce members to keep it up.

Culver said, "we have a lot of work to do and I am confident, with your help we will successfully address the needs state-wide and we will re-build."

It didn't take long for the city to respond. The Dubuque Community Foundation and the City of Dubuque are organizing bus trips to flood and tornado affected areas.

Volunteers will help with the dirty work that remains in places like Cedar Rapids, Palo, Parkersburg.

Burbach said, "We ask everybody to wear long pants, sturdy work boots, and hats and then bring rubber and leather gloves."

Volunteers from Dubuque are ready to work. Miles away, the flood damage is out of sight, but it's certainly not out of mind.

The first of the bus trips is scheduled for this Friday August first.

To volunteer contact Cori Burbach in the Dubuque City Manager's Department.

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