A week after tornadoes, displaced Johnson County victims anxious to return home
Unattea Wiseman found out this week she may be staying in a hotel room with her four children for possibly another month while repairs are underway on the fourplex Coralville apartment building she lives in, damaged by the storms that struck a week ago Friday.
“It’s OK, but I’m ready to go home,” she said. “The kids are uncomfortable. I’m just trying to breathe and take it one day at a time.”
Her family is one of many displaced by tornadoes that damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings in Johnson County, according to county emergency officials.
More: A week after tornado, Wellman family looks back on father, daughters', remarkable survival
The Wisemans have relocated to the Main Suites Coralville hotel, one of at least three area hotels working with local relief agencies and other groups to provide shelter. General Manager Jordan Locke estimated there were as many as 15 families in his hotel, mostly from damaged apartment units throughout the community.
The rooms there have substantial kitchens, but Wiseman also expressed appreciation to Hy-Vee stores, which have provided meals at no charge to the storm victims. A corporate spokesperson said area Hy-Vee stores often donate meals to displaced residents, first responders and cleanup crews after disasters and otherwise cooperate with community assistance agencies.
More: This Iowa City couple sheltered inside a wine cellar with their guests after their wedding
Rita Freeman and her 9-year-old daughter relocated to a hotel after her 12-unit apartment complex on 23rd Avenue was evacuated because of storm damage. Both escaped injury.
“We went to the laundry room on the first floor, sat and waited,” she said.
Her apartment only had window damage, but part of the building’s roof was ripped off and she saw a big hole in the first floor hallway ceiling. She was told it might be two weeks before she will be allowed to return.
Family in Hills has 'crazy week' that includes storm damage, birthday, new baby
Also among those displaced was the Dilks family in Hills, where a tornado took the roof and front porch off the house and peeled off walls as the family huddled in the basement with two dogs.
“It’s been a crazy week,” Jacob Dilks told the Press-Citizen on Friday. He said his son Owen’s second birthday was the day after the storm, plus his wife Mackenzie gave birth to a daughter, Emersyn, on Tuesday. In the meantime, he said, they have been working to arrange for the demolition of the house while living with his wife’s parents. They hope to rebuild on property in Riverside if possible.
Dave Wilson, Johnson County emergency management coordinator, and his crew have been busy assessing the damage and assisting businesses and families.
Johnson County reported this week that:
53 homes and upwards of 300 structures overall in Coralville were damaged by the storm.
Three homes in Hills were left unsafe for occupancy.
A 495-foot radio tower was knocked down in the storm, plus a Habitat for Humanity warehouse on the east side of Iowa City was leveled.
MidAmerican Energy had 2,432 households without power immediately after the storm and Alliant Energy reported 450 without power. Iowa City’s Wastewater Treatment facility lost power but a backup generator kept it online.
Four people experienced minor injuries. Two were transported by ambulance to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and two drove or were driven to medical facilities. There were no deaths.
A general population shelter was established at the Coralville Recreation Center and remains open. A special needs shelter was established at the Coralville Radisson hotel and the last person staying there checked out on Sunday.
More: University of Iowa research lab in Coralville destroyed in March 31 tornado
Brad Freidhof, conservation program manager for the Johnson County Conservation Board, said "communities and the utility providers serving" affected areas "will continue to assess the situation and make repairs to facilitate reentry into these housing units as quickly as possible."
Many other individuals and organizations have been helping those affected by the storm.
Coralville City Administrator Kelly Hayworth said the entire Iowa Heartlanders hockey team and staff showed up on Monday for volunteer cleanup work in Coralville neighborhoods. He was impressed because “this was after returning early in the morning from the weekend of hockey.”
Friends established a GoFundMe donations page for the Brad and Sheila Stiles family, who were displaced from their home. The listed goal was $20,000, but as of Friday morning the campaign had already collected more than $33,000.
Brad Stiles, who is the West High School soccer coach, said he and his family were fortunate to secure long-term housing and hope to repair or rebuild on the site within a year.
United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties has been one of the coordinating agencies. President/CEO Jennifer Banta reported that some families are working with local social service agencies and are applying for assistance through Iowa Individual Disaster Assistance Grants and the Red Cross, with help from Johnson County Social Services.
She added that translation services translation to assist non-English speaking residents affected by the storm have been provided by Sam Jarvis at Johnson County Public Health and the Refugee Center. More information can be found at unitedwayjwc.org/united-way-community-disaster-information-relief-fund.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Johnson County families still displaced week after tornadoes' destruction
