(Spirit Lake)– The city of Spirit Lake is accepting donations to assist flood victims in Cedar Rapids.
The city is accepting donations Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. until Friday, June 27th.
For one employee with the city of Spirit Lake, the disaster in Cedar Rapids is very personal. Dwight Dohlman, Spirit Lake’s Public Works Director, recently moved here from Cedar Rapids. He still owns a house in Cedar Rapids, but he says it’s on higher ground and escaped damage. Dohlman says that isn’t the case, though, for a relative of his. He says his sister and brother-in-law lost everything they owned…like thousands of other people there.
To help out, Dohlman says the city of Spirit Lake is currently accepting donations of items such as cleaning supplies, and non-perishable food. Those items may be dropped off at the Public Works Building during regular business hours.
While those items are appreciated, monetary donations are especially needed. Checks made out to the Salvation Army or the American Red Cross, Grant Wood Chapter, note “Cedar Rapids Flood Relief” in the memo section. Checks should be dropped off at Spirit Lake City Hall.
Dohlman, who was in Cedar Rapids last weekend, described the damage was “unimaginable”. He says this flood even surpassed 1993.
But Dohlman says there may be a silver lining to what took place. He says this, on top of the 1993 flood, should show officials they need to re-build infrastructure that will be able to stand up to an event surpassing a 500-year flood.
