carpenter
Oud Junkie
Posts: 248
Registered: 8-30-2005
Location: Eugene OR
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Mood: brimming with hope
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Jameel's home ...
... Cedar Rapids, Iowa (where I used to live), is seriously flooding, much of it is under water. Evidently he's not close to the still-rising
Cedar River, but it couldn't hurt to send whatever prayers and good thoughts you have his way.
You never know, it might help somehow.
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carpenter
Oud Junkie
Posts: 248
Registered: 8-30-2005
Location: Eugene OR
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Mood: brimming with hope
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I meant to say "his home town." Sorry.
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SamirCanada
Moderator
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I sure pray that you and your family are fine Jameel.
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Mike
Super Administrator
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Location: California, USA
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Spoke to him yesterday, and he did have to evacuate. The good news is I just got an email from him a few minutes ago, and luckily his home is safe.
Keep him and his family in you thoughts and prayers.
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Peyman
Oud Junkie
Posts: 496
Registered: 7-22-2005
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I hope everything is sound and safe with him and his family as well.
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Jameel
Oud Junkie
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Registered: 12-5-2002
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You guys have touched me with your thoughts. Thank you. Please remember Cedar Rapids and the rest of flooded Iowa in your thoughts and prayers.
Here's a few interesting facts about the flood so far. Forum member Mavrothis was here in Cedar Rapids a couple years ago, and the venue where he
performed is now under several feet of water. We had a similar flood in 1993 which broke previous records. This one was forecast to crest at 24 feet,
over 4 feet above the level in 1993. Instead it crested today at 31 feet, a full 13 feet over the previous flood. For reference, the Cedar normally
floods at 12 feet. So the river is a full 19 feet above a normal flood! A railroad bridge downtown was totally destroyed by the river, taking the 20+
rock-filled hopper cars down with it. The entire city (pop. 130,000) is down to one water pump, and we've been asked to conserve water, using it only
for drinking. Local restaurants are serving food on paper plates and utensils to eliminate dish washing, and only serving bottles of water. FEMA is
already here with assistance like tanker trucks of water and MRE packets, although there is plenty of food here. I guess they are being cautious. The
disaster here is not limited to Cedar Rapids. Every town along the river is being hit with the same flood. For example, the next town north of Cedar
Rapids, Vinton, has been without power or water for three days. A small town near Cedar Rapids is completely evacuated and has been locked down by the
military. Nobody gets in. Most major roads are closed. Several bridges are completely gone. One of two of our hospitals is evacuated and closed. Yet I
sit here in my home and write this message. An eerie feeling, no doubt. The good news is, the water is going down (at least in Cedar Rapids) but
slowly. It will take at least a week before the water recedes to typical flood levels.
Take a look at the following picture. This is Mays Island in downtown Cedar Rapids. These are two major government buildings. Now watch the video on this page and you can hear the commentator mention Mays Island about 1/3 the way through, as you see them fly over the left side of Mays
island. Note that there are no bridges visible, only a little ripple in the water where the bridge railings are. Incredible.
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amtaha
Oud Junkie
Posts: 342
Registered: 1-30-2006
Location: Canada
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Mood: beginner's frustration ...
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My prayers are with you, your family, and all the people in the flooded areas.
May this pass, and soon.
Hamid
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jdowning
Oud Junkie
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Registered: 8-2-2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
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We have been following the disaster as reported in the news here in the North. Hopefully you and your family will now have avoided the immediate
danger of further flooding as well as the resulting sad loss and deprivation experienced by so many of the citizens of the affected areas. Bad
situation for all.
Good luck to you and everybody in your neighbourhood.
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Jameel
Oud Junkie
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Thanks Hamid and John. I appreciate your sentiments. The water has gone down considerably in the last day. The city however has only 3-4 days of
drinking water left at current, restricted usage. After that, I don't know what will happen. I guess they truck in water or something. It could be
much worse. So far I've only heard of one death in the entire state related to the flooding. That's amazing. Here's an aerial view of the damage just
in the downtown Cedar Rapids area. The flooding extends to encompass hundreds of blocks beyond this.
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marmarzamani
Oud Lover
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Jameel
The juxtaposition of these photos is absolutely surreal and devastating. May you, your loved ones and all Iowans affected in any way be safe,
comforted and emerge unscathed from this terrible catastrophe. Amen.
Bill Abraham
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Sidi
Oud Maniac
Posts: 94
Registered: 2-6-2004
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Mood: Very Sad...
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Dear Jameel
This is saddening news indeed. I'm typing this at 2:30am...someone just told me about the floods. I pray to the almighty for your safety, your
family's, and the well being of everyone affected. I've "flown" over Cedar Rapids on Google Earth once, and it seemed like a very pretty place. I
hope your lovely hometown recovers real soon. Our thoughts will remain with you as this crisis resolves. Please keep your posts coming; I'm sure
we're all keen on seeing you through these difficult times.
BTW, Mike how are you folks faring with those fires in California?
-SidiM
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Melbourne
Oud Junkie
Posts: 354
Registered: 10-9-2006
Location: Mlebourne, Australia
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Mood: راحة الأرواح
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Good to hear you your family and your home are safe Jameel. Its amazing theres only been one fatalty...Some amazing contrasts in those pics with the
three smaller bridges - you can see them beginning to surface in the image above, but there was no sign of them in the news video yesterday.
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JT
Unregistered
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Registered: N/A
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Prayers are with you Oustaz Jameel...
JT
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Brian Prunka
Oud Junkie
Posts: 2939
Registered: 1-30-2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
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Wow, Jameel, I hadn't heard anything about this . . . I'm glad you hear you and your family are safe and sound. Still it's terrible for all the
people who were flooded out.
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arsene
Oud Junkie
Posts: 366
Registered: 5-19-2007
Location: Rotterdam, NL
Member Is Offline
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wow just seeing those two pictures ... we dont hear about this stuff in holland... glad to hear you and your home are safe - i hope the ouds are as
well 
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Jameel
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1672
Registered: 12-5-2002
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Thanks for all your sentiments everyone. Things are looking up today. The water situation has improved, we can now use water every other day. So
that's making things easier. It actually rained pretty hard this morning around 4:30 and I took a shower under my roof's downspout! Well, I had my
swim trunks on, so I didnt shock the neighboors. 
Brian, the venue where you performed with Simon in Iowa City is completely flooded. 
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journeyman
Oud Junkie
Posts: 492
Registered: 12-28-2003
Location: Toronto, Ontario
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Hi Jameel. I hope it the flooding is over soon and you can get back to normal. I feel bad for everyone in your area. I've never had to experience any
kind of natural disaster, but at the rate they are occurring all over the world I suspect it is just a matter of time.
All the best,
Roy
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George29
Oud Admirer
Posts: 5
Registered: 6-4-2008
Location: Canada
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
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Hi Jameel,
I'm glad to hear that things are somewhat improving. But showering in rain water, now thats gotta be cold
In any case, my best wishes for you and your family!!
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abusin
Oud Junkie
Posts: 442
Registered: 3-23-2006
Location: Manchester England
Member Is Offline
Mood: Ya Fuadi La Tasal
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Hi Jameelo,
My prayers are with you and your family, Thanks to God Almighty things are looking good ...
wishing you all the best buddy,
Awad
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Raabiah
Oud Maniac
Posts: 50
Registered: 9-14-2007
Location: UK
Member Is Offline
Mood: lost in a world of oudism
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Hey Jameel,
Wow, I was'nt aware how devastating the floodings actually were Jameel. i'm so sorry i really hope all your family and loved ones are safe ins. i'm very glad to hear your home is also safe through this tragic process. take great
care of yourself and your family and may the floodings disperse quickly.
Raabiah
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