I experienced my first Austin flood July 7, 1978. We were told at the time that it was a 100-year event. Ten days later we had our next 100-year flood, and the next one was five years later in 1983. We have had seven floods since 1978. They are no longer referred to as hundred year events.

In 2004, the water in Austin measured at the Wastewater Treatment Plant crested at the 25-foot level. Last weekend it was 22.5 feet. In 1978 when the level was 20.3, the city of Austin was brought to its knees, and it took weeks for things to get back to normal. At 22.5 feet last week, our city was pretty much up and running the next day. Many homes in town suffered much damage, including sewer back-ups and ground water. For the people who live in those homes, this was still a heart-wrenching event.

If the water level had raised two more feet, North Main Street would have suffered significant damage, and up to 1000 people would not have been able to go to work.

Last weekend, Congressman Tim Walz, Senator Norm Coleman, and Governor Tim Pawlenty have visited Austin to view the flood damage. They were all impressed with what the city has accomplished so far with our flood mitigation program.

Among the efforts being made are the formation of the Cedar River Watershed. The goal of the Watershed is to reduce the flow from the Cedar River during high water events by up to 20 percent. That alone would have translated to a high water mark of about 18 feet during our last flood. Most of this reduction would be brought about by changing land use upstream from Austin.

The half-percent sales tax has brought in approximately $1.2 million so far. This is above expectations.

Fifteen homes have been moved from the Wildwood Park area and the sewer infrastructure was improved so there was little or no damage in the Wildwood area this time.

Along with scattered site acquisitions, Jim’s Super Valu and the Eagles were relocated and spared.

Also, the North Main structural mitigation project is underway adjacent to Packer Arena.

The berms that protect our Wastewater Treatment Plant have also been improved so that we will hopefully never suffer like Mason City did.

We should also be grateful to our city workers who worked so hard during this flood, even as many of their own homes and families were threatened.

Floods are obviously something out of our control, and we will always have high water events. The City has accomplished much, and we are still working hard to try and minimize the damage to Austin.

Mayor Tom Stiehm