*Updated* 8/9/2008
It was reported that Oakville residents who gave notices of intent to seek a buyout had filled out incorrect forms. The correct forms also require a damage inspection by someone who the city or a disaster representative appoints. The inspections and new forms must be filled out and sent in before a September 12, 2008 deadline. The city also has to fill out paperwork for the process to proceed.
*End Update*
The city council unanimously voted Wednesday, Aug. 6, to allow residents to pursue the buyout option for their homes. Nearly 90 homeowners had notices of intent to seek a buyout presented to the council. There are less than 190 homes in the entire town. The council had to approve the process in order for the option to become available.
A resident does not have to take the buyout even if it is offered. There are several residents who are rebuilding their homes and a few are almost ready for occupancy. Water and sewer have not yet been restored to residences so living in the homes will be difficult until that happens. Electricity and gas services have been restored but each house has to be inspected by licensed contractors before the utilities can be turned back on.
This does not mean that the houses and businesses will be bought out, only that the option can be pursued. The state of Iowa now has to approve the buyout option and then FEMA. Anyone of these can not allow the option to continue. If FEMA turns it down, the state can take it on themselves though that is less likely to occur.
Several other Iowa cities, including Iowa City, Palo, Vinton, and Cedar Rapids are looking to buy homes that have been too heavily damaged for residents to return. Cedar Rapids had 20% of its residents displaced in the flood and over 10,000 homes damaged as well as much of the downtown businesses. This much damage across such a wide area has strapped the state of many funding options.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Animals in the Flood
Oakville and farmland were flooded. Livestock was also affect. The farms had over 40,000 hogs in the area. Nearly 37,000 were moved in less than a week. Some were sold at market while others were trucked up to 400 miles away to other farms. Semi-trucks were moving night and day transporting livestock and grain.
The hog confinement below was emptied of animals before being inundated by the water.
Not all of the animals were able to be moved. If a sow had piglets, they would fight moving. Many farmers opened pens to allow the ones they could not move a chance at survival. In this PBS video (warning, graphic video), a local farmer goes back to see his farm and animals he had to leave behind. While some survived, most drowned in the disaster.
Below is a picture that my nephew, who raises hogs, contends are pig tracks in the yard. More were found in various sheds on the property.
There were several animal rescue groups that arrived on scene and captured animals. Over 60 pigs were taken to other states and given refuge on a sanctuary farm.
Other animal groups focused on pets.
Most people had little problems with the groups and thanked them for rescuing pets they had left behind in their haste to leave when the levee broke. Some reported a few rescuers were using subterfuge to try to enter properties.
I was also told an organization is looking to sue farmers whose animals died in the floods for not getting all of them out in time. I would only want to know why this organization didn't bring trucks to assist farmers before the flood occurred to save the animals.
The hog confinement below was emptied of animals before being inundated by the water.
Not all of the animals were able to be moved. If a sow had piglets, they would fight moving. Many farmers opened pens to allow the ones they could not move a chance at survival. In this PBS video (warning, graphic video), a local farmer goes back to see his farm and animals he had to leave behind. While some survived, most drowned in the disaster.
Below is a picture that my nephew, who raises hogs, contends are pig tracks in the yard. More were found in various sheds on the property.
There were several animal rescue groups that arrived on scene and captured animals. Over 60 pigs were taken to other states and given refuge on a sanctuary farm.
Other animal groups focused on pets.
Most people had little problems with the groups and thanked them for rescuing pets they had left behind in their haste to leave when the levee broke. Some reported a few rescuers were using subterfuge to try to enter properties.
I was also told an organization is looking to sue farmers whose animals died in the floods for not getting all of them out in time. I would only want to know why this organization didn't bring trucks to assist farmers before the flood occurred to save the animals.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Those Who Assisted
Volunteers from many areas of the country have helped in town. Many church groups, including Southern Baptist, Presbyterian, Apostolic and Methodist from all over the country, have assisted homeowners to clean up debris. I have seen trailers from Georgia, Texas, Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky, to name some, in town.
News articles from Pennsylvania and Mississippi portray volunteers who have come to town. One city in Mississippi, D'lberville which was struck by Hurricane Katrina, has sent donations and volunteers to help Oakville recover. I was told some will "adopt" a home and help rebuild it.
As far as the folk's home, family has been the source of all of the work. Many brothers and sisters, some nephews and nieces and in-laws have been hard at it to accomplish what has been done. There are several out-buildings that need to be cleaned out and either repaired or torn down.
Volunteers are better used for those who do not have anyone to help them. There are several older people who can't do the work of cleaning up who need their help more than we do. Well over half the homes have been completed. Some homes may just be torn down due to the damage they incurred.
The house below has been stripped to its studs and roof to get rid of the damage.
News articles from Pennsylvania and Mississippi portray volunteers who have come to town. One city in Mississippi, D'lberville which was struck by Hurricane Katrina, has sent donations and volunteers to help Oakville recover. I was told some will "adopt" a home and help rebuild it.
As far as the folk's home, family has been the source of all of the work. Many brothers and sisters, some nephews and nieces and in-laws have been hard at it to accomplish what has been done. There are several out-buildings that need to be cleaned out and either repaired or torn down.
Volunteers are better used for those who do not have anyone to help them. There are several older people who can't do the work of cleaning up who need their help more than we do. Well over half the homes have been completed. Some homes may just be torn down due to the damage they incurred.
The house below has been stripped to its studs and roof to get rid of the damage.
Inside Before and After
Below are the before and after pictures inside the shop and house. A bleach solution is sprayed on all of the surfaces in order to kill mold.
The Shop.
The Bedroom.
The Living Room.
The Craft Room.
The Bathroom.
The Dining Room.
The Shop.
The Bedroom.
The Living Room.
The Craft Room.
The Bathroom.
The Dining Room.
Outside Before and After
Below are before and after pictures of the house and garage.
Birds are still nesting on the ledges just beneath the roofline. They are also still feeding on the seeds.
We found quite a few frogs and salamanders living in the garage. In the lower picture you can see some of the mud that was scooped out of the garage and placed in a hole in the driveway.
Birds are still nesting on the ledges just beneath the roofline. They are also still feeding on the seeds.
We found quite a few frogs and salamanders living in the garage. In the lower picture you can see some of the mud that was scooped out of the garage and placed in a hole in the driveway.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Oakville Council Meeting 7-02-2008
The HawkEye newspaper (Burlington, Iowa) has a video of the July 2, 2008 Oakville City Council meeting discussing the issues affecting the residents. The video has recorded damage to the town as well.
Sandbagging Efforts
This video was taken by an Iowa National Guard member who helped the sandbagging effort south of Oakville after the levee near Oakville had failed.
This video was not taken in Oakville, but shows the work that residents and volunteers put in to try to keep the waters out of their homes and property.
The HawkEye has a video of Oakville sandbagging on YouTube. Other YouTube videos about the Oakville floods can be found here.
Iowa flood videos here.
Illinois flood videos here.
Wisconsin flood videos here.
Missouri flood videos here.
Indiana flood videos here.
This video was not taken in Oakville, but shows the work that residents and volunteers put in to try to keep the waters out of their homes and property.
The HawkEye has a video of Oakville sandbagging on YouTube. Other YouTube videos about the Oakville floods can be found here.
Iowa flood videos here.
Illinois flood videos here.
Wisconsin flood videos here.
Missouri flood videos here.
Indiana flood videos here.
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