Iowa’s weather has been more than eventful this year; with the month of July already nearing record rainfall and yearly rainfall only two inches from the previous record [set in 1993], the peak of summer doesn’t appear to be keeping us any dryer than before.

In fact, as I write this we’re being trounced with even more rain. An unpleasant sight for all the college students [and this college graduate] moving in and out apartments this week, this is the scene in front of my apartment building right now…

Having already seen one of our worst natural disasters in history and facing a loss of nearly $3 billion in crops, the relief efforts being held on our behalf are an absolute necessity for Iowa to pull through this tough year.

Most notable of the relief efforts is Embrace Iowa: 2008 Iowa Disaster Fund. A collaboration of individuals, businesses, and organizations, Embrace Iowa has already raised more than $5 million for disaster relief.

Last week, as RAGBRAI rolled through Ames, I had the chance to attend an Embrace Iowa benefit concert. Featuring musical acts, Styx and The Nadas, Lance Armstrong was there to introduce the bands and get the evening started. Take a look…


 

Armstrong has ridden RAGRBRAI, an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the Iowa, every year since winning his last Tour de France.

“I have embraced Iowa,” Armstrong said. “This is a great state, the people are great, [and] they mean so much to this country.”

20,000 attended the relief concert last Tuesday night, where all proceeds and merchandise sales went towards the Embrace Iowa disaster relief fund.

Other relief efforts have taken a more light-hearted route towards raising funds; SMASH, a Des Moines screenprinting/design shop, designed an Iowa disaster relief t-shirt that states, “Dam!!! Now there are two states with 10,000 lakes…” Proceeds are will go towards Iowa Flood Relief 2008.

Relief efforts haven’t stopped at our borders, though, with events popping up from Santa Monica to Washington DC, it’s apparent that the country is on our side.


Iowa Disaster Relief Links:

2008 Flood Resource Center

Embrace Iowa: 2008 Iowa Disaster Fund

Americorp Flood Relief Program

Safeguard Iowa Parnership

Governor Chet Culver’s Rebuild Initiative