Flood

Some of you may have heard that we've been having a crapload of bad weather here in the nation's ample midsection this month, especially recently and indeed that is true.

A terrible tornado about 200 northwest of Des Moines killed four boy scouts and injured many others, the town of Parkersburg was leveled two weeks ago, and now the whole of the state is in danger of flooding...and we're not alone.

Fortunately, as ever, I live on a hill so I'm safe, but many don't...and my office is at some risk (but lawyer offices are not exactly like restaurants and the like). But one way or another, I'll be totally fine.

Not everyone will be though. They say that on Sunday (the day has been moving around of late) the Des Moines River will crest close to, and quite possibly above, the level of the "100 Year" flood that was 1993 (when this town lost its water plant for some time). But we're in a new century now, so I guess the "100 Year" meter started over in 2000. The town is much better prepared, but there are many businesses, including those that belong to friends that are at risk. In the last decade, Des Moines has had tremendous urban renewal, the downtown is hopping more than it has in several a few generations. It would be a shame to have it hurt.

And Des Moines, of course is not alone, several other places in Iowa and the Midwest are getting it too (Cedar Rapids, Iowa's Second Largest City for example).

Anyhoo, if you'd like to help, the Obama campaign has a link to help here.