Wartburg College’s multifaceted response to the Flood of 2008 has earned the appreciation of Waverly Mayor Ike Ackerman.

“I don’t know where we would have been without Wartburg College,” the mayor said June 19 during remarks at the farewell reception for outgoing Wartburg College President Jack Ohle.

Wartburg College and the campus community responded in numerous ways to the devastating flood, which came within a block of its Bremer Avenue entrance and caused relatively minor damage in some residence halls.

Wartburg immediately made the Wartburg-Waverly Sports & Wellness Center available as a Red Cross shelter, initially housing around 50 people per night.

A Red Cross Social Services Center has been established in Players Theater.

The City of Waverly enlisted Wartburg’s Center for Community Engagement to coordinate matching lists of volunteers with community needs. It is being done without any charge to the city.

Students help remove debris from basements.

Wartburg staff and community members have been busy making those matches. Between Thursday, June 12, and Sunday, June 17, more than 500 hours of service were donated by more than 140 volunteers, working on 140 job requests. (Official reports only.)

CCE provided office space for Waverly-Shell Rock United Way Executive Director Cory Berkenes, who helped coordinate the volunteer and needs assistance database.  In addition, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs Tyann Lindell has adopted and populated Lutheran Disaster Relief’s database.
 
Wartburg designated Friday, June 13, as a Service Day so faculty, staff and students could volunteer. Hundreds of hours were committed to helping Waverly residents and businesses — on college-paid time.

Wartburg students in the work-study program have augmented those efforts.

In addition, many among Wartburg faculty, staff and students have given their time to help colleagues, friends and other residents in need.

Following the tornado in Parkersburg, Wartburg established a fund to assist victims of that disaster. It also will help flood victims.
 
Wartburg’s student-run radio station, KWAR has broadcast flood-related information around the clock. Likewise, Wartburg’s WTV8 and Web site have kept residents aware of flood-related developments, including the broadcast of a flood-related press conference.

The college has opened Waverly Manors to provide temporary housing to flood victims through July 20 at discounted rates similar to those paid by summer school students. The charge was deemed a matter of fairness to students currently paying for room and board. Because fire and safety regulations preclude cooking in the residence halls, temporary residents must purchase a food plan.

The expenses are likely recoverable for flood victims. Many homeowners will be reimbursed by insurance policies when staying at Wartburg or in rental accommodations elsewhere while their homes are uninhabitable. If not, the federal Individuals and Households Program administered by FEMA will likely cover those costs. In addition, the Red Cross is helping with food expenses.