July 28, 2008, Czech Village home of Bob and Josephine Yuza, Cedar Rapids. Congressman Dave Loebsack, Second District of Iowa, was hot after spending about 45 minutes mucking with AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) members in Czech Village home.
“This is the third time I’ve done this since the flooding began,” Loebsack said, adding that when he’s back in the area in August he anticipates doing more cleanups.

“It’s hard to fit things into my schedule but I think it’s absolutely critical,” he said.

As he walked away from the Yuza home Monday afternoon, Loebsack chatted with Yuza’s neighbor about federal flood relief on the way.

Two of the Iowa counties hardest hit by record flooding – Linn and Johnson – are among the 15 southeast Iowa counties in the Second District. Loebsack lives in Mount Vernon and is serving his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
AmeriCorps VISTA members several hours at the Yuza home, 1708 C St. SW, which is about a block from the business district in the Czech Village, one of the neighborhoods hardest hit by mid-June flooding of the Cedar River.
The cleanup crew – often referred to as “muckers” – pulled out flooring on the first floor of the house, then got to work hauling mud and debris from the basement.
On site were team lead, Elie Lowenfeld, 21, of New York City; Rhett Harris, 22, of Edwardsville, Illinois; Ben Vermie, 20, of Cedar Rapids; Victoria Bohler, 25, of Germantown, Maryland; Evan Spells, 19, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Joe Lasko, 20, of Lakeville, Minnesota; Natalie Masci, 18, of Bedford, New Hampshire; Ivan Michel, 23, of Jersey City, New Jersey; and Ryan Neff, 19, of New Jersey.
Temperatures rose well into the 80s, and the humidity was high.
“It’s hot in this house, hotter than usual,” said Victoria, as she took a break on the home’s front steps.
Relatively new to the mucking crew, Ivan said the day’s work going well, adding, “It’s a little harder than I expected because of the heat.”
The required respirator makes it hard to breath, he said. “I guess frequent breaks are the key,” Ivan said, as he stood in the shade on the Yuzas’s front lawn.
Bob Yuza was both surprised by Loebsack’s visit and very grateful to the VISTA members for their hard work.
“It was kind of exciting. I didn’t know he was coming until after lunch,” Bob said. “He was very positive and supportive.”
Bob stood on the front porch of his home talking about the day’s events.
“I grew up in this house,” Bob said. His great-grandfather built the house 113 years ago, and he’s the fourth generation to own the home. “It’s been in this family that long.”
He had lived in the home with his wife and two daughters until June 11.
“We left the house at about 10:30 p.m. and the water was just coming up to our bottom step,” he said.
Inside, Bob noted the waterline, 6 feet 10 inches – “You can call it seven foot” – up the wall, nearly to the second floor.
Bob put one of his daughters in charge of finding volunteers to assist with cleanup and tear out. She called the United Way of East Central Iowa, and was put in touch with the East Central Iowa Volunteer Reception Center. Some VISTA members staff the center, while others work on mucking crews. He was thrilled with the VISTA crew that cleaned out his house.
“They got a lot done, made me feel real good,” Bob said. “They are a great group of kids.”
Yuza plans to live in the family home again.
“Definitely. Some time next year, I figure. I’m taking my time,” he said.
For now, he’s living in a camper in his sister’s driveway “until the snow flies.”

Top photo
Left to right: Ivan Michel, Natalie Masci (sitting), Ben Vermie, Joe Lasko, Elie Lowenfeld and Congressman Dave Loebsack after Loebsack's time doing tear out in Bob Yuza's home.
Middle photo
Clockwise: Natalie Masci, Ryan Neff, Elie Lowenfeld, Evan Spells and Victoria Bohler take a break after mucking.
Bottom photo
Homeowner Bob Yuza indicates the waterline from flooding in his 113-year-old home. Yuza is the fourth generation of his family to live in the home built by his great-grandfather.