I can only imagine how jarring it must be to see your hometown in this condition. I'm so sorry, but am glad your family's homes were outside the flood zone.

I heard that the university art museum moved its collection to offsite storage facilities. It sounds like quite an effort was required to salvage it. I'm not sure whether anything was damaged. This news story includes a few details.

as far as i know, they had time to move the art pieces. BUT, the art museum-the new onw-ia probly ruined. the library was affected too. they took all the really old irreplacable books and mived them up several floors. the memorial union gor very wet despite all the sandbagging. they almost had to closr burlington st bridge-the water was actually in waves and splashing onto the bridge! they closed I-380 between IC and CR. the only way to get back and forth was detour thru Des Moines!! they also had to close I-80 at the Atalissa exit (30ish miles from IC) there was water 1/4 mile of the interstate. Nick, Jane, Sophis and I were trying to get to Michigan for Gwens graduation. we spent 2 hours trying to get out of Iowa. and didn't make it, dammit!:( Crazyness abounds luv you, pammy