I am 13 years old and I live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I went downtown to help sandbag with a fellow family. We were immediately confronted with a serious problem. The major part of downtown was flooded. But we worked with others to load our pickup with sandbags and try our best to get through the muck. Jumping curbs, we made it to a small restaurant. It was very sad, and I was depressed at the sight before me. Her basement had been flooded and all the food was floating in its freezers. We immediately began sandbagging, and after several loads, we completed our mission, although the restaurant basement was filled with water and the main area had about an inch on the ground. Before we were told to evacuate, I asked the owner, "Do you have flood insurance" The response was horrific, she did not, and she said most others in the downtown area were in the same situation. No one could have seen this coming-all the adults said this flood beat out the one in '93.

We kept on going for four hours, soaking up to the waist. And at one point, a torrential downpour began while we were still in the back of the truck! Our clothes were soaked! The police officer told my friend's dad that we needed to leave, because it was becoming a dangerous situation, and he didn't want us hurt. But we didn't stop there, we headed over to a local family business, Valenta Plumbing. I remember our arrival clearly-I could see the under-part of a small bridge, a car was in it, but the only think you could see was the top corner of the roof. I imagine at this point it is completely under.

I hope CNN shares this story with the country, because it is important for people to know what we are going through. Before this, I had never really believed in losing everything you had, because I though insurance always backed you up. But now, I know what people go through. Pray for those who lost their businesses and homes, and be sure to donate!