Sept. 16, 2010
Text: Status Report of 2010 Iowa State University Storm and Flood Damage
presented by Warren Madden, ISU vice president for business and finance, to the state Board of Regents in Cedar Falls, Iowa
The following is an overview of the wind storm of July 18, 2010, and flooding that occurred on campus and in the City of Ames, culminating in unprecedented water levels on August 11, 2010. The Ames area received a significant amount of rainfall on August 8, 9, and 10, 2010. The final downpour included at least 3.5 inches of rain in a 40-minute period. This high intensity rain combined with the previous 2 days of significant rain resulted in a major Squaw Creek flooding. The resulting 18.13 foot flood crest, approximately 9.1 feet above river flood level, inundated campus facilities. The floodwaters directly affected 17 structures/sites on the Iowa State campus impacting 684,500 gross square feet of space. An additional 42 structures received water damage from backed up storm sewers and high surface water flows on areas of campus far away from Squaw Creek.
Water supply and access problems
In addition to storm and flood damage, the City of Ames experienced major s water distribution system. This system also serves the campus resulting in the system being shut down Wednesday afternoon August 11. The city and university cooperated in alerting people not to drink city water, distributing bottled water to the community and restricting use of the bottled water supply. Although the central campus area was not directly impacted by flooding it was difficult to reach the campus August 11 and 12 since major roads were flooded and closed. Except for critical operations, the university was officially closed on Thursday, August 12. Although classes did not start until August 23, we estimated that approximately 50% of the students were already in Ames or arriving over the weekend of August 14 and 15. Water pressure was restored and the city water supply was pronounced safe on Sunday, August 15. The university was able to conduct the majority of our new student arrival and orientation events and the largest ISU enrollment in history with relatively little disruption. The attached photographs and flood map summarize the extent of the major damage.
Flood and storm recovery plan
In July, the university experienced severe wind damage prior to the flooding in August. The university has been aggressively undertaking storm and debris cleanup; making spaces safe, clean and dry; beginning reconstruction and restoration; evaluating mitigation alternatives; and prioritizing projects. We have been working closely with insurance adjusters, representatives from Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division, FEMA and the Board Office. Several of these agencies have staff located on the campus working closely with university staff. We have also benefited and received offers of help from UNI and the University of Iowa staff who have shared information and made helpful recommendations based on their experience after the 2008 floods.
Through a cooperative joint procurement effort of the universities and state agencies, disaster/emergency recovery services contracts were available. The university had immediate access to two international firms, ServiceMaster and Cotton. They arrived on the campus August 11 and provided significant help and resources to remove debris, and make facilities and flooded outdoor areas safe, clean and dry. We estimate that their efforts have advanced our recovery about a month compared with the 1993 flooding and by getting moisture and wet materials out of facilities quickly, they significantly reduced restoration costs. These firms have access to personnel and equipment that has been a major factor in our recovery process.
The Governor requested and the President signed a disaster declaration for Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes that covers the period beginning June 1, 2010 and that is continuing. The declaration makes ISU eligible for FEMA disaster assistance. We are working with the State and FEMA representatives to compile lists of damages and losses for all facilities and sites. This process is actively under way with university, state and federal representatives inspecting and documenting damages and the conditions at the impacted facilities. This process will continue over the next several months. FEMA procedures require a detailed review and documentation. To manage this process internally, the university has created a flood recovery team coordinated by Pam Elliott Cain, Associate Vice President for Business and Finance. She is working with a group of campus leaders from the areas that were most significantly impacted as well as the university facilities and health and safety staff.
Insurance and financial reimbursement
Because the detailed inspections of damages and the condition of facilities and equipment is not yet completed, we do not have an accurate estimate of the overall cost the university is likely to incur. However, in discussions with various individuals involved, we currently estimate the overall costs are likely to be $40 million to $50 million.
We currently anticipate the costs will be reimbursed from a combination of sources that include insurance claims, FEMA reimbursements, university resources and reserves, and possibly state assistance. The exact amounts and reimbursements will depend upon completion of the inspections and documentation of the costs and compliance with insurance, state and federal reimbursement guidelines. This process is likely to continue for a considerable period of time. We anticipate receiving insurance funds in the near future.
The buildings and areas most severely impacted include Hilton Coliseum, Scheman Building, Lied Recreation Athletic Center, Family Resource Center that houses University Community Childcare, 26 apartments in University Village, Veenker Memorial Golf Course, Iowa State Center parking lots, and various playing fields. Facilities that are located in the flood plain have National Flood Insurance Protection, as well as flood coverage through Lloyds of London and finally property and flood coverage with Travelers. Facilities outside of the specific flood zones are covered by Travelers with a $100 million limit-per-incident campus wide coverage and various deductibles ranging from $50,000 to $1 million. Business interruption coverage exists for some facilities. Because of the complexity of flood coverage zones and various deductibles applying to different structures, it is difficult to estimate the final financial costs. Based upon the overall estimate of damage in Iowa under the Presidential declaration after insurance, FEMA regulations will probably involve a 75/25% match. The local 25% can include university and volunteer costs that are documented and meet FEMA criteria. We are hopeful that this will result in reducing university and state financial obligations.
While floods affected a number of university activities most have continued at other locations on or off campus. The most serious facility needs are: (1) getting Hilton Coliseum operational by November for the basketball season, (2) Scheman back in operation to accommodate a number of major meetings and, (3) the Lied Recreational Athletic Center open for student use. In addition to the required physical and mechanical repairs, the wet summer, high humidity and moisture levels have increased the presence of mold, which is impacting when some facilities may be reoccupied.
Future mitigation analysis
A key issue in plans to deal with this year's flood is what mitigation steps should be taken to reduce future storm and flood damage. After the 1993 floods, studies were completed and a number of recommendations were made and adopted. Those measures proved successful in the 2010 flooding. A berm structure was erected around the Maple Willow Larch Residence Halls. Although surrounded by water, Maple Willow Larch incurred no flooding. The east entry ramp to Hilton Coliseum was reinforced; water did not enter from that location. Lower mechanical rooms in Scheman were reinforced and held. Unfortunately, water rose to a higher level than in 1993 and entered facilities in new areas not previously penetrated or recommended for reinforcing. All of these locations and facilities were in full compliance with federal and state requirements at the time they were constructed. In spite of the damage that has occurred over the 41 years since the first buildings were constructed west of what is now University Boulevard, these facilities have had a profoundly positive impact on the university and central Iowa. It is a special area with many unique facilities including Stephens Auditorium, which was named Iowa's Architectural Building of the Century. To the extent possible, our planning will be to mitigate future damage.
We appreciated the prompt assistance of the Board staff in giving approval and recommending Board ratification of the actions outlined in the docket. Working closely with the Board Office and state and federal representatives, the university will keep the Board informed of our progress and we will provide updated financial projections for flood and storm recovery.
