Collection Descriptions - 2008 Flood

The floods experienced in Iowa during June 2008 had a devastating effect on the lives and livelihoods of many Iowans. Flood waters also severely damaged Iowa’s transportation infrastructure, including its roads, bridges, railroads, transit facilities and buses, trails, and waterway terminals. For example, 441 miles of roadway in the state were closed at some point during the flood. At its peak, on June 16, 2008, 51 road sections were closed in the state. Many of these roads sustained significant damage, with several remaining closed for weeks after the flood waters receded.

The photos in this collection represent a compilation of images captured by Iowa Department of Transportation personnel or taken by local governmental agencies for purposes of seeking federal financial assistance, and shared with the department for the purposes of making the images available to the public. The photos chronicle the impacts on countless communities along the path of the flood waters as they crossed eastern Iowa, converging with other streams and rivers, until finally making their way southeast to the Mississippi River.