Disaster Response:
Oakville, IA Flood Relief
It’s been nearly three months now since the Iowa River breeched the levee flooding the town of Oakville and the surrounding area. Approximately 17,000 acres were covered with water. Today, the water is gone and most of the homes have been stripped in preparation for rebuilding. There has been a lot of progress in the restoration of homes and out-buildings. There is, however, much more to be done.
Currently, the focus is on nine homes that are in various stages of restoration. It is our goal to have these homes completed before Christmas. The need for volunteers ranges from skilled tradesmen to anyone willing to sweep, paint, refinish woodwork, cook, or just help out wherever needed. There is a job for everyone!
Tradesmen Needed
- Carpenters
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- HVAC
- Dry Wall installers and finishers
General Labor
- Painters
- Wood Refinishers
- Clean Up
- Cooks Assistant
With each home at a different stage of restoration, there will be work for each of the trades thru September, October and into November. The rate of progress depends on the number of volunteers we have each day.
We are also doing repairs to out-buildings - replacing steel sheeting on storage buildings, replacing windows and doors destroyed by the current. This work will continue as long as the weather permits. Demolition of condemned structures will begin soon.
The opportunity of a winter work project in Oakville is being investigated. It would begin early in January and run through the end of March 2009. Information will be posted when it becomes available.
If you have interest in going on a clean-up/rebuilding work team, please register on this web site. Your information will be sent to the project administrator for USA work projects. If you have questions please contact him here.
To register for a work team to Oakville. Click here.
To check work team schedule. Click here.