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CEDAR RAPIDS — Craig Fugate, who was confirmed as the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in May, received his first in-person look at the remaining damage in a Cedar Rapids flood zone Tuesday when he toured sections of Time Check Neighborhood with Gov. Chet Culver and U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-Mt. Vernon).
The Cedar Rapids Central Fire Station, the site of today's press conference with FEMA Director Craig Fugate, sat in the heart of the flood zone and was literally submerged in flood water.
The group was joined by additional state and local officials for a press conference at the Cedar Rapids Central Fire Station, one of many city buildings that was decimated by flood waters in June 2008. The federal government has promised more than $5 million for repair of the facility.
“Today’s trip was an important opportunity to see first-hand the collaborative efforts taking place to ensure Iowa communities have the tools they need to recover,” Fugate said. “There is a strong partnership between FEMA and the state, as we work toward the common goal of supporting community recovery.”
Fugate also signaled that the role FEMA has played in Cedar Rapids has changed from that of management of the emergency to future flood prevention. Representatives of the agency will continue to be involved as state and local officials set priorities and action plans related to prevention.
Following their public appearances the elected officials adjourned to private meetings to discuss recovery successes and challenges, flood prevention and the roles of the various contributing agencies in the years to come. According to a White House spokesman, officials attending the closed door meeting were Culver, Loebsack, Fugate, Rebuild Iowa Office Director Lt. Gen. Ron Dardis, Cedar Rapids Mayor Kay Halloran, Cedar Rapids Flood Recovery Director Greg Eyerly, Linn County Supervisor Linda Langston, Cedar Rapids City Council member Chuck Wienke, FEMA Iowa Recovery Center Director Kay Phillips, FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Art Freeman and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director David Miller.
According to information from FEMA, the agency has obligated more than $876.2 million for Iowa flood assistance since the 2008 storms. Of that, $737.1 million has been in public assistance aid for state and local public buildings and roadways. The agency reports that 23,287 Iowans have received more than $122.2 million under the FEMA Housing Assistance program; and that 8,521 Iowans received $16.3 million through the agency’s Other Needs Assistance program. Cedar Rapids, a city that lost more than 5,000 homes and 700 businesses and suffered an estimated $6 billion in damage, has received roughly $184 million in public assistance.
Fugate’s visit was at the bequest of Culver, who met with the federal official earlier this summer. Culver is also optimistic that Fugate will return to Iowa to view recovery efforts in Iowa City at the University of Iowa.
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