As most of you know, I'm from and live in Iowa.
Last night before 7PM (CST) there was a terrible tornado that went through western Iowa and hit a Boy Scouts park. There were close to 50 injured and 4 boy scouts lost their lives. My heart goes out to their families and friends.
Here's some video:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25113439#25113439
 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25117840#25117840

I live in central Iowa, Des Moines to be exact. What we are dealing with here is flooding and a chance of losing power. They are claiming that the city water plant is fine and will remain fine, but after the floods of '93 and being without water for 21 days, we all are a little jumpy here and concerned. I never thought I would see this again. You never know what it's like until you see the devastation yourself or live through it. I'm asking that members please keep Iowa in their prayers and thoughts.

We need a break from all this rain..which hopefully will happen after Sunday. However, the rivers around here are going to crest this weekend, so we will know more then, on how much has been damaged and how many homes and families have been impacted by these floods.  I know I've talked to my administrators about this here and on DE. But right now, it's all I can think about. I should be fine where I'm at, we didn't have any flooding concerns back in '93 in my neighborhood. My biggest concern right now, losing power or those levees around our water treatment plant not holding up.

Here's a few videos of Des Moines and the metro area.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PturJDtWELc" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PturJDtWELc</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8hU1DnbSl0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8hU1DnbSl0</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZp3Udsi90o" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZp3Udsi90o</a>

Wow Melissa! I have been following this in the news, and I just can't believe how bad it is.  Be careful and remember a house is to live in, not to live for.  If you have to, get out.  Things can be replaced, but not you.  Keep us posted on your situation as you can.
Sonni

I read an article on that earlier and I cannot believe it. I'm in Illinois and we've been getting it horribly too but not as bad as you right now, I told Poppy and Wilhelm about Saturday when I saw the Tornado right by me, and they're bad news. I don't understand why the weather has been so horrible lately.. good luck my friend I will be keeping on eye on the Doppler with you in mind.

EDIT: I just checked it and the same storms that have hit you have hit me. You must be near the border line.

Thanks guys, I'll give you info on this as soon as I find out more. The county officials are saying they are releasing a map of areas of Des Moines that would be hit by a 500 year flood situation. I'm anxious to see this map, but expect my area to still be safe. The only water around me is a man made lake and it doesn't flow from the Des Moines or Raccoon rivers that are causing much of the flooding. And it's just south of me.

Stay safe Assai! Border line? I'm in the center of the state. The Illinois state border is about 170 miles east of me. And I'm guessing your about 300 miles east of me. These storms are moving east. http://www.weather.com/maps/maptype/dopplerradarusnational/midwestradar2100mile_large.html?clip=undefined&region=undefined&collection=localwxforecast&presname=undefined

I'm sorry. But yea I'm a bit south of these storms but I'm still under flash flood and tornado watches until tonight.

Stay safe!!

I hope all the best for you during this old friend. You will be in my families thoughts and prayers. And we will remember the people affected by this as well.

Thanks Bobby!

Melissa, time for an update, are you OK?
Sonni

Yeah, I'm fine. I'm guessing a lot of what you guys are seeing on TV is probably Cedar Rapids Iowa, it's in Eastern Iowa. They got hit worse than what we did.  The did a voluntary evacuation here in the "500 year flood plain" and I'm not in that area. I guess downtown Des Moines was like a ghost town today after the evacuations and the interstates around here were backed up with traffic, many people were leaving Des Moines that are in that flood plain. Plus, you have the idiots that are driving around town to see the flooding. People have even completely came to a stop on the freeway here in town to gawk at the water levels. They are still saying we won't lose water here and I'm still hoping we don't lose any power. And our power company here is trying everything in their power to keep the electricity on. Actually, last I heard the flood waters were receding here in Des Moines, which is great news. But, some of the levees are very weak. We do have a chance of rain tomorrow, or actually today..lol and storms are possible on Sunday. Then next week looks pretty clear except for on Wednesday. Hopefully we won't get much more rain.

I am so relieved that you are OK. Everytime I would see the reports I would think of you.
I'm happy I finally got to read this!
 

Thanks hun, the worst is over and now we're just waiting for the rivers to get back to normal.