How A Flood Gave Me Hope | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

How A Flood Gave Me Hope

#WaverlyStrong

10
How A Flood Gave Me Hope
Riley Cole

If you're not from Iowa, then you probably have no idea what's going on in Northeast Iowa right now.

We're being flooded.

By flooded, I don't mean "Oh look, the river is a bit high right now." I mean "Oh look, the town is underwater."

Scary, right? Also what's scary is sitting in the middle of your college class and having the power go out for an hour.

That was me this week. And even though I come from an area where flooding happens, I've never experienced this.

I've also never experienced a community come together like this either.

Right away, students, faculty and community members got to sandbagging wherever they could. Students wandered neighborhoods helping citizens move what they can.

Even though I had class and music lessons in the afternoon; a friend and I headed out as soon as we could.

Right away, I was blown away by the operation. there was one person shovelling into the bag another person was holding then a third person would tie the bag and move it to the pile before another crew would load trucks and the last crew would take the bags into the community and disperse them.

Most of all I was blown away at how this community bands together to help the city we call home most of the year. The site I was helping at was mostly Wartburg students, but I believe only 2 of them were actually originally from the city of Waverly and there were over 50 there. I'm from Illinois, the person tying my bags was from Minnesota and the girl next to me was from Colorado. But we didn't care. This is our city and we're going to save it. Professors cancelled classes, sports cancelled practices, choirs cancelled rehearsals. Students from everywhere were stuffing sand into bags.

In the end, Waverly didn't end up getting flooded as bad as other places; but our sandbagging has helped. But the student helping hasn't stopped. We've reached beyond our immediate community and started going into surrounding communities where levees have broke and the water is higher to help.

As of right now, levels are starting to crest and there's not much more we can do as a community, but I know that as soon as levels go down; my Wartburg community will be right back out there helping clean up.

That is enough for me.

This is why I love the community that I'm in. Students are ready to give up time they probably can barely spare to help the community that has taken them in.

The situation isn't over yet though. We're expecting more rain in the coming days and the river still hasn't crested in places. That being said, please keep Northeast Iowa and the communities effected in your thoughts and prayers.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

185400
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

11650
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

455532
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25145
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments