Flood recovery planning under way

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, June 25 (UPI) -- Recovery from flood waters that saturated portions of the U.S. midsection has begun as river communities begin to plot their reconstruction.

Whole neighborhoods may be relocated in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, while the University of Iowa in Iowa City must repair or rebuild up to 20 buildings, USA Today reported Wednesday.

"We're talking about billions of dollars in damage ... many, many years to rebuild and recover," Iowa Gov. Chet Culver said.

Last week, Congress authorized nearly $2.7 billion for flood relief, most of it going to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for grants, the Small Business Administration for low-interest loans and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for grants and loans to farmers who lost their crops.

Elsewhere, Canton, Mo., city officials said 23 camper pads and an access road on the city's waterfront RV park should be completed by Labor Day.

The flood's timing hurt other cities dependent on tourism, USA Today said.

In Hannibal, Mo., birthplace of author Mark Twain, three parks were washed out, said Beau Hicks, executive director of the Hannibal Convention and Visitors Bureau.

In Lake Delton, Wis., the Wisconsin River spilled over a levee and a road that protected the lake, allowing the lake to drain. Tom Diehl, a village trustee and owner of the Tommy Bartlett water-skiing show, said business for about 20 resorts, a boat marina and restaurants along the lake will be hurt for months.