The 1,000-Year Flood

Every year, flooding wreaks havoc across much of the Midwest. But the floods of 2008 were on a scale unlike anything seen in generations. From Minnesota to Missouri, Illinois to Iowa, the “1,000- Year Flood”—as some climatologists called it—caused tens of billions of dollars worth of damage along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Two dozen people were killed and 148 injured. Between 35,000 and 40,000 people were evacuated from their homes. The human stories associated with this epic event are riveting.  The 1,000-Year Flood is a powerful tale of heroism, heart-wrenching loss, and hope. Looking at the epic events of the summer of 2008—and, in particular, at the devastated city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and its will to rebuild—Stephen J. Lyons weaves a compelling and inspiring narrative set against the backdrop of a millennium of natural disasters in the region. He asks: What does the flooding mean for residents short-term and long-term? What does recovery really mean?