Rebuilding along the Mississippi River occurs after every major flood. Even minor flooding requires a vast amount of cleanup and rebuilding in certain areas.
Recently, the major cause of flooding of homes and cabins along the Mississippi River is the change in the topography of the land adjacent to the river. As the Corp of Engineers, farmers and other groups build new levies and create diversions to the natural flow of the river to accommodate business expansion in former flood plain areas, significant changes in flood patterns occur. As the number of acres dedicated to flood plains is reduced, more and more people with homes and cabins along the banks of the Mississippi are negatively impacted. With no outlet for runoff from spring rains and winter thaws, river levels rise and flooding becomes more severe and more prevalent.
After the flood of 2008, many cabins and homes were condemned and could only be inhabited again after being raised to a level that would prevent future flooding. Companies in the business of raising cabins and homes along the river saw a great increase in demand for their services.
A fair estimate would be that over 50% of the cabins involved in flooding that year had to be gutted, raised and rebuilt…or permanently demolished. The remaining cabins typically sustained serious damage and required extensive repairs. Those who were determined to retain their properties filed for permits and began the daunting task of rebuilding…some hiring contractors, while some performed the work themselves. Some cabins are still in the process of being rebuilt…ours is one of them.