The day was gray with air so heavy it was hard to breathe as I reported for duty. Sandbagging is a dirty job. I sandbagged for days and days and hours upon hours. Sandbagging brought out the most unlikely individuals to work together, side by side, through pouring rain and blistering heat toward one common goal. Fathers, Mothers, retirees, homemakers, and businessmen lined the streets. There is no crash course in sandbagging and there is no right or wrong way to fill a sandbag. Just fill it. Each of the 24,000 sandbags weighed forty pounds that were lined one point of Ashworth Road Stooping, filling and lifting all day was a great recipe for a ba

With the water supply contaminated, I could not shower, cook, or even flush the commode. Sponge baths with stale lukewarm water became a treat. Kybos dotted every corner and lined parking lots while plants and pets were sustained with rain water. After standing in line for several hours at a time in the sweltering heat or drizzling rain, I was allowed two small jugs of water. On day twelve, we flushed! On day nineteen we drank! I no longer had to boil the water or rely on the bottled type. After water was restored, conservation was preached. To ensure the longevity of the precious commodity, the city was sectioned off for small amounts of usage. I was just happy to flush, even if it was in total darkness.

The greatest natural disaster in Iowa’s history had many effects on many people. I have listed the three that affected me the most. The spring of 1993 was a horrific time in my life, but I learned a few things along the way: items can be replaced, homes can be re-built and eventually even lives can be pu

Some topics in this essay:
Moines Raccoon, Heat Humidity, Des Moines, , City Officials, Fathers Mothers, Road Stooping, des moines, sectioned amounts usage, city sectioned amounts, sectioned amounts, city sectioned, amounts usage, flashlights candles, flood 1993, canned food, water supply,