News : Flood recovery quietly, slowly continues as 2-year anniversary passes

Pepper plants are growing in garden that was site of flooded homes in 2008.

Green spaces like this one on Third Street are the goal of FEMA flood buyout program.

Some home owners chose to rebuild homes higher after the flood two years ago.

This garage was fllooded in 2008; it will become a pavilion at a new park along the Cedar River.

The interior of the new pavilion, being built by AmeriCorps members.

Slowly, but surely, parcel by parcel, Vinton and its residents are recovering from the Flood of 2008.

Alberta Reifenstahl's house was destroyed by the flood, and purchased by the City of Vinton with FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program funds. The house was demolished, but the garage is being transformed into a pavilion in what will be a new city park area. Alberta said she's glad the garage is being put to a good use.

The Community Youth Garden a couple of blocks from the new pavilion is also taking shapes. Peppers, tomatoes, sweet corn, flowers and trees are growing on a lot that two years ago, was covered in filthy flood waters. The homes that were destroyed in that flood have also been demolished, creating the "green space" that FEMA buyout programs require.

Other residents have chosen to rebuild, elevating their properties or homes to guard against a future flood.

"There are some individuals who are still struggling," said Benton County EMA Director Scott Hansen. 'But overall, we as a county are doing pretty well."