ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen J. Lyons is the author of A View from the Inland Northwest: Everyday Life in America (Globe Pequot Press) and Landscape of the Heart: Writings on Daughters and Journeys (Washington State University). He is a two-time recipient of a fellowship in prose writing from the Illinois Arts Council and has published articles, reviews, essays, and poems in numerous anthologies and publications, including Newsweek, the Chicago Tribune, the Sun, the Washington Post, Salon, and High Country News.

A native of Chicago, Stephen spent many summers at his grandparents’ house in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After graduating from high school, he lived for almost thirty years in the western United States and now lives in Illinois. He holds a degree in journalism from the University of Idaho.

A calmer Cedar River the summer after the flood.

The author’s grandfather, Charles Uchytil, at his home at 2812 Fruitland Boulevard in southwest Cedar Rapids.

The author, age two, at his grandparents’ home on Fruitland Boulevard in Cedar Rapids.

Floodwaters along First Street NW, not far from the Diamond V Mills corporate office. Frank King

Christian Fong, part of the wave of new leadership in Cedar Rapids that stepped forward during flood recovery. Provided by Christian Fong

CEO of Diamond V Mills John Bloomhall in his Time Check office.

Rising waters at the intersection of First Street and N Avenue. The worst was yet to come. Frank King

Somewhere in Time Check. Frank King

Frank King’s wife and a family friend remove an old phone from the King residence as the water rises. Frank King

Rainfall records were broken around the Midwest. In June, Cedar Rapids received almost nine inches. Frank King

Following the crest, boats were the best way to get around the neighborhoods along the Cedar River. Frank King

June 13, 2008–the day of the crest–was a brilliant, clear day. Frank King

Frank King maneuvers his boat past a submerged car. Frank King

On June 13, 2008, the Cedar River crested at 31.12 feet, 11.12 feet over the previous record set in 1851 and equaled in 1929. Frank King

June 14, 2008. Frank King guides his ten-foot boat around Time Check. He became so exhausted from paddling that he had to be rescued by the Cedar Rapids Fire Department. Frank King

Ruined possessions along the 120-foot hedge in front of Frank King’s house at 816 E Avenue NW. He said volunteers filled that space four times, Ave feet tall, with . . . his life. Frank King

By July 29, 2008, 72,428 tons of debris had been hauled out of Cedar Rapids. Frank King

A trunk belonging to Frank King’s great-grandmother. It was filled with school books from a oneroom schoolhouse where she used to teach. Frank King

“I don’t care about the toys—but they were my grandkids’ toys, and you see them covered with this muck. . . . ” Frank King

Northwest Neighborhood Association President Frank King on the porch of his restored home in Time Check, summer 2009.

Jon Galvin on the remnant of his ruined sunporch. His flooded house remains vacant, and he has no plans to move back.

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library’s Leah Wilson works the phones in the days following the flood. Photo courtesy of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

Linda and Gary Seger in front of their restored home in Time Check. In the months following the flood, Linda found her voice as an activist for the neighborhood.

Ron and Sharon Sims outside their rental home. The couple, whose home in the Cedar Valley neighborhood was destroyed, did have flood insurance. They plan to rebuild in the same location.

The site of the former Polehna’s Meat Market on 16th Avenue SW in Czech Village. Following the flood, owner Doug Ferguson decided not to reopen.

A flooded home in Czech Village offers a political message.

An abandoned home in the Time Check neighborhood. As recovery dragged on, some homeowners became increasingly impatient as they waited for government buyouts.

A vacant home in Time Check speaks volumes.

A warning marks a vacant home in Time Check.

The shuttered Little Bohemia Bar & Eatery one year after the flood.

Troy and Beverly Simon, late summer 2009. The Simons lost their home to the flood, but they never lost their integrity or faith.

Cedar Rapidians fear the nation will forget their plight.