FEMA videos show Iowans' 'Triumph over Tragedy'
Release Date: May 29, 2009
Release Number: 1763-236
» More Information on Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Three FEMA videographers and a FEMA photographer have been visiting tornado and flooding affected Iowa during the past few months to capture stories of the trials, tribulations and triumphs of recovery during the past year.
On May 25, 2008, an EF5 tornado devastated the Parkersburg-New Hartford area. Two weeks later winter snow pack melt combined with torrential rains to cause some of the worst flooding in Iowa history. Towns like Cedar Rapids, Palo, Iowa City, Cedar Falls, Waterloo and Oakville were literally inundated.
FEMA has been working in concert with the State of Iowa during the last year to coordinate delivery of federal and state recovery programs. Now, one year later, the people of Iowa affected by these events talk about the impact of those programs on their lives and the life of their communities.
Two of the 16 videos produced by the FEMA team debuted in Parkersburg. Turning Tragedy into Triumph and A Playground Called Miracle were shown at the Parkersburg Fire Station during the Memorial Day Weekend.
All videos will be available for viewing at www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records. Videos are:
- Waverly, Iowa: What A Difference A Year Makes (Waverly)
- Turning Tragedy into Triumph (Parkersburg)
- A Playground Park Called Miracle (Parkersburg)
- Temporary Facilities Support First Responders (Cedar Rapids)
- Dan Gable Wrestling Museum (Waterloo)
- Iowa City Animal Shelter (Iowa City)
- Historic Landmark: Wapsipinicon Mill (Independence)
- West Nodaway - the Right Way (Clarinda)
- Playground Rebuild (Muscatine)
- Oakville Mayor Fights To Save Town (Oakville)
- Rental Repair Pilot Program (Cedar Rapids)
- FEDEX Customer Service(Des Moines)
- Vista AmeriCorps (Cedar Rapids)
- Iowa Responders Reflect and Review (FEMA-1763-DR-IA- statewide)
- FEMA-Tribe Agreement with the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa (Tama)
- A Roof Over My Head (Cedar Rapids)
- Iowa One-Year Anniversary (Slideshow)
- Renewal with Remembrance (Parkersburg)
Never-before-seen video of the tornado and flooding are showcased in these videos as well as conversations with individuals and local officials about the road to recovery. On FEMAinFocus you will also find "before and after" pictures showing tornado- and flood-damaged sites from last summer and what they look like today.
The series is called Triumph over Tragedy because the pictures and videos truly speak to the triumphant way Iowans met these events head-on with a can-do spirit and we-will-overcome attitude.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
Last Modified: Friday, 29-May-2009 14:27:28