The Cedar River poured over its banks here Thursday, forcing the evacuation of more than 3,000 homes, causing a railroad bridge to collapse and leaving cars underwater on downtown streets.

Officials estimated that 100 blocks were underwater in Cedar Rapids, where several days of preparation could not hold back the rain-swollen river. Rescuers had to use boats to reach many stranded residents, and people could be seen dragging suitcases up closed highway exit ramps to escape the water.

"We're just kind of at God's mercy right now, so hopefully people that never prayed before this, it might be a good time to start," Linn County Sheriff Don Zeller said. "We're going to need a lot of prayers and people are going to need a lot of patience and understanding.""

Uh, just a thought here- If God wanted this flooding and it is obvious he did cause God plans and orchestrates everything then why do anything to stop it.  Don't you think that just pisses God off?  Do you people really think you know better than God?  Ridiculous.

"We are seeing a historic hydrological event taking place with unprecedented river levels occurring," said Brian Pierce, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Davenport. "We're in uncharted territory — this is an event beyond what anybody could even imagine."

Ooh, a scientist.  Finally someone who makes sence.

""It's going door to door to make sure people don't need to be rescued, cause right now they can't get out on their own," said Dave Koch, a spokesman for the Cedar Rapids Fire Department. "It's just too deep.""

What is going door to door?  Can someone call the scientist back please?

"The surging river caused part of a railroad bridge and about 20 hopper cars loaded with rocks to collapse into the river. The cars had been positioned on the bridge in hopes of weighing it down against the rising water."

That bridge was built in 1889 if my memory serves me.  It always saddens me when old and cool stuff breaks or otherwise gets destroyed.  No seriously.  For once I am not being an ass.

""I believe that this is God's way of doing things, and I've got insurance, so I'm not worried about it," said Tim Grimm, who was forced to leave his home in the city's Czech Village area. "

Trust in God but lock your doors I have heard it said.

The article goes on to talk about Minnisota and Wisconsin and some other place I don't care about.  It did say they had to close the Spam Museum.  I am pretty sure God is a big fan of Spam.  I am sure the Sapm Museum will be spared.

But seriously, Cedar Rapids is on the short list of places I am interested in moving to which is the only reason I even read the article.  Cedar Rapids City Hall and some other building are on this little island in the middle of the river which I think is pretty ridiculous.   I mean yeah, it is cute and Heather describes it as "pretty" and yet I wonder who's brilliant idea it was to put important building in the middle of a river?  Heather defended it by stating that this sort of flooding is unheard of.  And?  I stand firm in thinking the important places and things should be protected and fortified against all possible scenarios.  Look at the effort they go to to protect the Constitution.  Not like that piece of paper is all that important in the big picture.  Sure, it is great to have the original.  (See my above statement about old and cool stuff) but we have copies.  In the event of an emergancy it would be good for the law and decision makers to have a place to do their business.   Imagine Gov. Culver wants a meeting with Mayor Halloran... "...sure but we'll have to go to the Dairy Queen as my office is flooded..."

Iowa City which is also on my short list is having it's own problems.  "...the river is expected now to crest at 33 feet on Tuesday, the National Weather Service’s latest forecast shows. That would be 4 ½ feet higher than the record 1993 flood of 28.5 feet. Flood stage is 22 feet."

Seriously, I hope everyone gets through this ok.  I am gonna sit here and enjoy the 100* heat in the foreclosure capitol of the Nation.