The U.S. Courthouse in Cedar Rapids, like the rest of downtown, is completely inundated. We had a small library in the basement which will be a total loss. Our librarian also has space in an office building down the street, along with one of our appellate judges. Their offices are on the 2d floor but the building has 8 feet of water on the first floor. On a disaster team conference call this afternoon I learned that the Courthouse won't be habitable for months since all the mechanical equipment was in the basement. For the office building a month or so is predicted. GSA is searching for temporary space for court staff.
In Des Moines we're holding our breath and waiting to see how bad it gets. The Courthouse and Courthouse annex (where the library is located on the 3rd floor) are right next to the river.
We have 2 staff in Des Moines.
Ann Fesssenden,
8th Circuit Librarian
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