WEATHERING THE STORM
Tackling Recovery
Cedar Rapids has dealt with devastating floods, tornadoes, ice storms — but never before August — hurricanes! The cleanup process following the derecho has been nothing short of unprecedented. Below is a brief summary of the massive coordination efforts that have been underway since August 10, 2020.
I
Immediate Response
n the hours and days following the storm, efforts focused on life-safety issues such as pushing debris off roads, inspecting and assessing housing damage, addressing a massive loss of roadway signage, and reenergizing or replacing more than 100 traffic signals. This involved multiple agencies, jurisdictions, and contractors. The Iowa National Guard deployed on August 13 to clear critical infrastructure using equipment and vehicles that could navigate utility easements and other tight locations where electric crews needed immediate access. Also
14
OUR CR
|
playing a valuable role in clearing roads and hauling debris, were the Iowa Department of Transportation and multiple private contractors that were quickly secured through an emergency bid process. Multiple jurisdictions helped Cedar Rapids crews replace or repair hundreds of roadway signs and traffic signals, and City crews worked seven days a week, dawn to dusk, to clear debris off roadways, using the same prioritization as snow emergencies.
NOVEMBER 2020
