My Life. My neighborhood. My world. Mike Richards.

One of the things that we heard from all six of the disaster recovery groups that we met with in New Orleans was the importance of gutting and sealing up neighborhood buildings, regardless of their anticipated future. Even if there is a possibility that a property could eventually be demolished, New Orleans disaster recovery groups noted three important reasons for gutting and sealing up every building severely damaged by the flood:

1. psychological closure for the owner or residents even if the property is eventually demolished
2. preserve all options for future rebuilding after a long term recovery plan is in place
3. safety and health issues - minimize rodent, pest and physical hazards in the flooded zones

In Iowa with its much harsher winters than in New Orleans, we need to think about the possible effects that freezing temperatures could have on un-gutted buildings, piles of debris, and water pipes inside of open, unheated buildings.

We know there are efforts already underway by various individuals, groups and organizations in Cedar Rapids to gut and clear the houses and commercial buildings in flood devastated areas. As soon as we get back we will see what is already being done to prepare our neighborhoods for the coming winter, and provide information on best practices and lessons learned to help them.

Lynette and I both believe that an initiative to ensure that all flood-damaged properties are gutted and sealed before winter is an important potential priority action agenda for the teams to be formed under the Rebuild and Grow's Neighborhood Self-Help Resource Network.