http://www.hubbellrealty.com/weather Weather Updates for Hubbell Realty and RiverPoint Tenants en-us Media Advisory: Friday, June 20, 2008 The following is a summary of new flood-related information: River and Stream Elevations From the National Weather Service (as of June 20, 2008, 9:00 AM) Friday and Friday night 30% chance of rain. Saturday through Sunday there is a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms. Des Moines River is flooding; however, it has crested and is going down in level. The Raccoon River is below flood stage. Des Moines River Elevation at 2nd Ave: 23.25, Flood Stage 22.40. Des Moines River Elevation at SE 6th Ave 26.31, Flood Stage 24.0. Saylorville Elevation: 885.45. Road Closures While many streets have re-opened. The following streets remain closed: Street From To George Flagg SW 30th Park Prospect Rd Hickman MLK Oxford Holcomb Guthrie Guthrie Oxford Saylor Birdland Dr 6th Saylor SE 6th Maury Jackson SE Livingston SE 5th SE 6th Railroad SE 8th SE 9th Disposal of Flood Damaged Items The City of Des Moines has extended the time that residents may place flood damaged items curbside for collection by Solid Waste crews through Friday, June 27. Residents should be reminded that no stickers are required but items still need to be properly prepared for collection (in a 33 gallon bag, box no larger than 24 X 24 X 36, carpet – rolled and tied in 4 foot lengths and bundles no larger than 18 inches in diameter.etc.). These items will be picked up on residents’ regularly scheduled trash collection day. Another option for residents is to take items to the Metro Waste Authority (MWA) Transfer Station at 4198 Delaware this Saturday, June 21st or next Saturday, June 28th. The facility will be open 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The MWA Transfer Station is not open to the public on a regular basis, but only on specified Saturdays as a part of this clean-up effort. (No commercial haulers are allowed. Commercial haulers should use the landfill.) The MWA Transfer Station does not allow: car batteries, propane tanks; toxic liquids such as oil, paint, etc.; toxic or hazardous chemicals. Residents should contact the MWA Regional Collection Center for Household Hazardous Waste at 967-5512 to dispose of these items. More information is available on their website at: http://www.mwatoday.com/res_haz.html The MWA Metro Compost Center at 1601 Harriet Street is closed and will remain closed until July 19th. Additional information is available on the City of Des Moines website: http://www.dmgov.org/departments/PW/scrub_2008.htm Disaster Recovery The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has now opened a Disaster Recovery Center at Harding Middle School, 203 E. Euclid Avenue, in Des Moines. Hours are from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, 7 days a week until July 18th. City Council Meeting Due to the relocation of City Hall, the Des Moines City Council will hold their Council meeting on Monday at the Central Library, 1000 Grand, in meeting room 3. It has been recommended that some of the public hearing items scheduled for June 23rd be delayed until the July 14 Council meeting. Agenda information is available on the City’s website at: http://www.dmgov.org/mayor_council/agendas/ Please call the City Clerk's Office at 283-4209 for additional information. For more information or assistance in locating contact information for flood resources, the public may contact the Information Center at 283-4500 or the Public Works 24-hour Call Center at 283-4950. http://www.hubbellrealty.com/riverpoint.asp 6/20/2008 4:30:00 PM Media Advisory: Thursday, June 19, 2008, 2:00 PM ---- The following is a summary of new flood-related information: Flood Recovery In an effort to make the rebuilding process easier and to assure properties are repaired in a way that is safe for all residents, the City of Des Moines has put together an information brochure. The brochure is available on the City website at www.dmgov.org and The Permit and Development Center (PDC) is currently located in the Central Library, 2nd Floor, 1000 Grand, because of flooding at their usual location. Resident and businesses can also contact the PDC at 283-4200 with questions. Disaster Recovery The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has now opened a Disaster Recovery Center at Harding Middle School, 203 E. Euclid Avenue, in Des Moines. Hours will be from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM today and then 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, 7 days a week until July 18th. Gray’s Lake Park Remains Closed We have reassessed the degree of clean-up work that will be necessary to reopen any portion of Gray’s Lake Park including the trails. Our goal will be to have the park and trails open before July 4th. We would ask that residents stay off the trails for safety reasons and to give City crews and volunteers an opportunity to do the necessary work to get the park cleaned up. The park will remain closed until further notice. The Buzz on Mosquitoes The City of Des Moines would like residents to continue to report areas that need to be sprayed or where there is standing water. Residents should also take precautions to protect themselves. The following tips should help: Repellent Make sure to apply some mosquito repellent when you’re outside. Repellents that contain DEET are the most effective, but make sure you apply according to the directions. Apply the repellent to your face but don't get it in your mouth or eyes and wash your hands after you apply it. Protective Clothing Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. Light-colored clothing is best so you can spot mosquitoes that might land on you. In addition, you can spray your clothes with a mosquito repellent to keep them away. Standing Water Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water, like water left in buckets and wading pools. The fewer places mosquitoes can lay their eggs, the fewer mosquitoes there are. So, you should check around your home, yard, deck, or neighborhood for standing water. Clean gutters, empty flowerpot saucers, clean out birdbaths, and turn over buckets. To request that an area be sprayed, to report standing water, to have an address placed on the "no-spray" list, or for additional information regarding the City's mosquito control program, residents should call 248-6099 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The same number can be used after 5:00 p.m. to access the most current anticipated spray schedule for that evening For more information or assistance in locating contact information for flood resources, the public may contact the Information Center at 283-4500 or the Public Works 24-hour Call Center at 283-4950. http://www.hubbellrealty.com/riverpoint.asp 6/19/2008 3:07:00 PM The following is a summary of new flood-related information released by the City of Des Moines: Levee Update The breach on the Birdland levee is being repaired under contract. The breach repair will consist of placing 6,000 tons of rock to create a stable base topped by 1,500 cubic yards of impervious clay. Two hundred twenty-five (225) linear feet of sheet piling will be installed on the river side to provide protection to the newly constructed levee section. Placement of the rock will take two to three days, placement of the clay will require one additional day. Placement of the sheet piling will take another three days. Weather permitting, repairs should be completed by early next week. For more information, the public may contact the Public Works 24-hour Call Center at 283-4950. River and Stream Elevations From the National Weather Service at 8:00 AM (6-18-08) Des Moines and Raccoon rivers are flooding; however, they have crested and are going down. Des Moines River Elevation at 2nd Ave: 25.35, Flood Stage 22.40. Des Moines River Elevation at SE 6th Ave 28.85, Flood Stage 24.0. Saylorville Elevation: 887.28. *Flood Stage is a historical number created by determining a fixed gauge reading at which minor flooding (minimal or no property damage) begins and is valid only for the reach of the gauge. Flood Clean-up in Birdland Arrangements have been made under emergency order to place 40 cubic yard roll-off solid waste containers at convenient locations in the Birdland area to assist residents and businesses with the disposal of flood damaged items. The roll-off units will continue to be serviced until such time as the quantities of materials to be disposed of can be handled through the Public Works Department’s routine Municipal Trash Collection Program. Assessment of Flood Damaged Property The City of Des Moines and Polk County in cooperation with the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and other assistance agencies have set up a “Family and Business Assistance Center” for families and business owners whose properties have been identified as safe. The Family and Business Assistance Center is in Union Park, 1801 Pennsylvania Avenue (west shelter at the top of the hill). If a property has not yet been inspected, residents should contact the City of Des Moines Information Center at 283-4500 where information will be collected to initiate a discussion between the property owner and an inspector for a damage assessment. Beware of Scam Artists The City of Des Moines warns victims of the recent flood to beware of scam artists. Do not give out your personal information to anyone without proper identification. If you suspect somebody is not on the up and up, hang up the phone or close the door. Then call the Des Moines Police Department on the non-emergency line at 283-4811. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials want victims to know that special procedures are used whenever personal information must be obtained from applicants. First, if an applicant calls the FEMA toll-free registration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585, or registers at www.fema.gov, they can be assured that their information is secure. Second, a bank account number will only be discussed if an applicant asks a government agency to make a direct deposit into their account. And most importantly, there are two identification numbers assigned to every application. Each person who calls FEMA to register for help gets a FEMA number of their own and they are told the personal ID number of their case worker. A legitimate government agent who calls an applicant will always be able to tell the applicant both of these numbers. FEMA and other government agencies such as the U.S. Small Business Administration will never ask for money for their services. When hiring contractors to assist with repairs: • Check references. • Get a written estimate. • Use reliable, licensed contractors. A list of licensed contractors for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical contractors is available on the City of Des Moines website at www.dmgov.org (under Hot Topics) • Insist on a written contract. Get all guarantees of work in writing. • Obtain a local building permit. City of Des Moines is waiving permit fees associated with this event; however permits are still required. If residents and businesses have been cleared to enter their property they may begin the cleanup process and contact the Permit Center by phone at 283-4200 or on site at the Central Library, 1000 Grand Avenue, to begin necessary repairs. • Make final payments only when the work is completed. Trails, Parks & Community Centers • The Gay Lea Wilson Trail has been reopened for recreational use. • Emergency shelters which have been located at various middle schools and the Four Mile Community Center are no longer needed and will discontinue operations. The Four Mile Community Center is open and continues to offer regular services and programs. • Although flood waters have receded, Des Moines Parks & Recreation would like to caution the public that debris may remain in affected areas to include parks and trails. In addition to debris, a coating of mud has covered many of our trails, creating hazardous conditions. Additional precipitation in the near future may cause mud to become slick before it is cleared from the trails. We are working to clear and clean trails as quickly as possible, however the public should continue to use caution. • The Parks and Recreation Departments asks for the public’s patience and understanding with regard to the appearance and condition of parklands which were not directly affected by flooding. Park and Recreation staff was pulled from normal operations throughout the city in order to assist with flood control and continues to work on areas still flooded as well as in cleaning efforts. Staff members have not yet been able to return to normal maintenance procedures and standards, but anticipate doing so in the near future. City Boards & Commissions to Meet at Central Library The Des Moines City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, June 23, will be held at the Downtown Central Library (1000 Grand). This meeting will handle only essential business items. The Des Moines' Historic Preservation Commission will meet on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in Meeting Room 3 of the Downtown Central Libray (1000 Grand Avenue). The Des Moines' City Plan and Zoning Commission will meet on Thursday June 19, 2008 in Meeting Room 3 of the Downtown Central Library (1000 Grand Avenue). A work session regarding the Merle Hay Urban Renewal Plan will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the regular meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. For more information on City of Des Moines public meetings, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 283-4209. For more information or assistance in locating the proper contact information, the public may contact the Information Center at 283-4500 or the Public Works 24-hour Call Center at 283-4950. http://www.hubbellrealty.com/riverpoint.asp 6/18/2008 4:11:00 PM On the advice of the City of Des Moines, we plan to keep sandbags located at each entry until the rivers have officially fallen below the flood stage level. We realize that these are unsightly, but we would greatly appreciate your continued patience and understanding as we continue to follow the cautious advice received from the City. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your property manager. http://www.hubbellrealty.com/riverpoint.asp 6/17/2008 4:07:00 PM We are pleased to announce that it would appear that the potential for a water intrusion event at Riverpoint has been averted. The voluntary evacuation request from the City of Des Moines was officially lifted at 6:00 p.m. Saturday. At 4:00 a.m. Sunday, we began to remove the sandbags that were placed in front of entry doors throughout the Hubbell Realty Portfolio in downtown Des Moines and Riverpoint. We ask that our tenants and their invitees use caution and keep their eyes open for any sandbags or debris that remain in the area as we welcome them back to their businesses. We worked exceptionally hard to ensure that your businesses were safe as the rivers crested utilizing eight hydraulic pumps ranging from 2” to 8”, placing approximately 8,000 sandbags, and alerting the City to the need to increase the levee along SW 5th Street. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all of our tenants who worked with us filling sandbags, placing them in front of their own businesses and at times, even helping us to secure their neighbors’ entries. We consider it a great honor that we work in partnership with all of you and look forward to many years of continued cooperation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your property manager as noted below. http://www.hubbellrealty.com/riverpoint.asp 6/15/2008 7:01:00 PM The following message was received from Matt Anderson with the City of Des Moines. New information just obtained from the Army Corp. of Engineers indicates that water levels on the Des Moines River will be close to the top of the levee later today. As a result we are commencing an evacuation immediately of areas within the 500 year flood zone. 500 Year Flood Plane Map This evacuation should be completed by 6:00 p.m.this evening. Two key points: 1. We need everybody’s help to comply with this evacuation in an orderly manner. Businesses, residents, anyone else in these areas should proceed to immediately leave the area. Please be considerate of others as you leave. 2. We ask all those that receive this notice to notify your neighbors who may not have heard this message. Thank you. Matthew A. Anderson Economic Development Administrator City of Des Moines For additional general flood information: call 283-4500 http://www.hubbellrealty.com/riverpoint.asp 6/13/2008 1:08:00 PM ROAD CLOSURE: Southbound 7th Street from downtown into RiverPoint has now been closed by the city of Des Moines. POWER LOSS: 501 SW 7th is currently without power. http://www.hubbellrealty.com/riverpoint.asp 6/13/2008 9:17:00 AM Des Moines Public Works released the following water level cresting information early this morning. WATER LEVELS Predictions as of 2:41am Current Levels as of 3am Des Moines River at 2nd Ave -30.87 cresting Saturday @ 32.60 Des Moines River at SE 6th - 34.80 cresting Friday Morning @ 35.00 Raccoon River at Fleur Drive - 24.03 cresting Friday afternoon @ 24.50 Four Mile Creek 14.71 Walnut Creek 9.08 For the complete story, visit CrestingUpdate http://www.hubbellrealty.com/riverpoint.asp 6/13/2008 8:54:00 AM According to the latest forecasts, the Des Moines River will crest Friday night at 30.2 feet, more than a foot short of the record 1993 crest of 31.7 feet. These new forecasts take into account the rain that fell overnight. For the complete story, visit: http://www.kcci.com/weather/16587735/detail.html http://www.hubbellrealty.com/riverpoint.asp 6/12/2008 2:15:00 PM MidAmerican Energy spokeswoman Ann Thelen told KCCI Wednesday that there is a moderate possibility that portions of the downtown Des Moines area could lose power due to recent heavy rains. MidAmerican said its large power lines feeding downtown are in underground vaults. Thelen said it's a challenge for pumps to keep up with the ground water invading those vaults. Thelen said that MidAmerican will be forced to shut down any feeder line if the pumps are overcome. MidAmerican said the possible shutdown would impact the area of Court Avenue, including the Federal Courthouse. Thelen emphasizes that as of 2 p.m. Wednesday the shutdown is only possible, but MidAmerican officials want to warn businesses to be aware and take any necessary precautions. Hubbell’s major account representative did contact us to make us aware of the potential for this to affect RiverPoint tenants. If you are a RiverPoint tenant interested in relocating to alternative Hubbell Realty Company space, please call Krista Capp, vice president of property management at 280-2039. http://www.hubbellrealty.com/riverpoint.asp 6/11/2008 2:50:00 PM According to KCCI Channel 8, the latest forecast for the Des Moines River levels at 2nd Avenue puts the river within about 5 inches of the record flood of 1993. "The forecast said the river will reach 31.2 feet Saturday at 7 p.m. The 1993 crest was 31.7 feet. This forecast is about 3 feet higher than what was predicted for the crest Tuesday." The full story can be found here: http://www.kcci.com/news/16557459/detail.html http://www.hubbellrealty.com/riverpoint.asp 6/11/2008 2:45:00 PM The following information was reported this morning by KCCI Channel 8: "The river is expected to crest downtown Thursday morning at 33.5 feet and a second crest is now forecast for Sunday at 33.5 feet." The complete article can be found here: http://www.kcci.com/news/16557459/detail.html http://www.hubbellrealty.com/riverpoint.asp 6/11/2008 11:45:00 AM WHO-TV Channel 13 reported this morning that the City of Des Moines has enacted a voluntary evacuation of all downtown businesses and residents. Forecasts are predicting additional rain in the state and the metro area. Previous statements made by the various emergency services in Iowa stated that additional rain will impact prior assessments of flooding to the downtown area. We recommend that you take additional precautions now to protect your personal property. As more information becomes available, we will continue to update www.hubbellrealty.com/riverpoint.html. If you are a RiverPoint tenant interested in relocating to alternative Hubbell Realty Company space, please call Krista Capp, vice president of property management at 280-2039. http://www.hubbellrealty.com/riverpoint.asp 6/11/2008 7:45:00 AM The following was a message received by the Building Owners and Managers Association of Iowa from Matt Anderson, Economic Development Administrator for the City of Des Moines. “The City of Des Moines is closely watching the current and pending levels of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. Outflow from Saylorville reservoir overnight is expected to be contained by levy system. The unknown in this volatile situation is the potential for rainfall in the Des Moines River basin later this week. The City of Des Moines is choosing to error on the side of caution in this event and is taking appropriate measures at our facilities. We urge your members to do the same. Unfortunately, the precautionary measures will vary from building to building so I cannot be more prescriptive.” This information is being forwarded to you by Hubbell Realty Company in order to give you as much information as possible for you to appropriately assess your risk tolerance. Again, we will do what we can to assist you during this time. Please contact your property manager for assistance should you wish to relocate your offices. We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates on our web site at www.hubbellrealty.com. http://www.hubbellrealty.com/riverpoint.asp 6/10/2008 5:04:00 PM A press conference today by state and local authorities revealed that if the state does not receive additional rain, the levees will hold. An Army Corps of Engineers flood specialist, Roger Less, said the temporary flood gates on the emergency spillway at Saylorville Lake will likely be lowered Tuesday evening, which will double the outflow from Saylorville into the river headed toward Des Moines. He anticipates that once the temporary gates are lowered, it will take about 12 hours for that higher water to reach downtown Des Moines. "The City of Des Moines is doing all the right things to be proactive and prepare for the flood," Less said. City Public Works Director Bill Stowe said he anticipates that will put the river at or near the top of the levee system in Des Moines. He said he expects the levee system will hold at the anticipated levels but warned that a forecast of more rain Wednesday night into Thursday could make things worse. Stowe also said downtown Des Moines bridges will be closed Tuesday afternoon and evening as a precaution. He recommends that traffic leaving needing to move east-west through downtown use 2nd Avenue and East 6th to I-235 and use the freeway's bridge across the river. Based on information provided today by state and local authorities, we are encouraging each of our tenants to assess their own levels for risk tolerance. If any tenants wish to relocate outside of the immediately affected areas, we will be assisting them in any way we can. If any of you receive questions from tenants, be they associates or friends, please direct any and all questions to their respective property manager. We are posting any and all updates we receive on HubbellRealty.com. Your property manager’s contact information is also located on this web site should you wish to speak with them directly. Again, we will assist you in any way we can through this time. http://www.hubbellrealty.com/riverpoint.asp 6/10/2008 3:40:00 PM The following bridges in downtown Des Moines will be closed effective Tuesday June 10th. These times are subject to change based on changing conditions. * Court Avenue Bridge by 6:00 PM * Locust Steet Bridge by 6:00 PM * Grand Avenue Bridge by 6:00 PM * Walnut Street Bridge at 2:00 PM http://www.hubbellrealty.com/riverpoint.asp 6/10/2008 12:20:00 PM