Flooding withers area jobs
Alayna Wilken - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 6/19/08 Section: Metro
The floodwaters in Iowa City and Coralville have caused some residents to lose more than their houses and belongings - some have lost their jobs.
To save money, unemployed UI student Alex Lamb moved back to his parents' house. All the money he can scrape together goes to pay rent at his apartment he normally lives in.
"I have to find a job," he said.
Lamb worked at Mondo's, 516 E. Second St., Coralville. That street is now covered with water.
When he tried to go to work June 13, Lamb found the street blocked off and the restaurant submerged by the Iowa River. He was told he could pick up his paycheck at the Bread Garden Market and Bakery, 221 E. College St.
Lamb has lived in the Iowa City and Coralville area for the past 15 years, so he has nowhere else to go.
His plan now is to find another job in the Fresh Food Concepts chain, which includes the Bread Garden, Joseph's Steakhouse, and Givanni's.
The Wig and Pen, 1220 Highway 6, is yet another underwater restaurant on the Coralville Strip (though technically, it's in Iowa City).
UI student Becky Haluska has been an employee at the Wig and Pen for two years. She is one of the lucky ones, though.
She was working two jobs when the flood rolled into the Iowa River valley - one at the Wig and Pen and one at the UI Hospitals and Clinics.
"I'm glad to have that to fall back on," she said.
The only thing to do now is to wait for the water level to fall, so that cleanup can start.
"That's the worst part about this - nothing's for sure," she said.
One of Haluska's former coworkers is in a similar position. Lindsay Campo also worked at the Wig and Pen for almost two years. She had a job lined up at the UIHC but hadn't started it yet.
"It's on hold right now," she said. "I'm waiting to hear back from them."
If all else fails, Campo is considering filing for unemployment if she cannot work at the hospital.
However, some UI students plan on leaving Iowa City altogether.
To save money, unemployed UI student Alex Lamb moved back to his parents' house. All the money he can scrape together goes to pay rent at his apartment he normally lives in.
"I have to find a job," he said.
Lamb worked at Mondo's, 516 E. Second St., Coralville. That street is now covered with water.
When he tried to go to work June 13, Lamb found the street blocked off and the restaurant submerged by the Iowa River. He was told he could pick up his paycheck at the Bread Garden Market and Bakery, 221 E. College St.
Lamb has lived in the Iowa City and Coralville area for the past 15 years, so he has nowhere else to go.
His plan now is to find another job in the Fresh Food Concepts chain, which includes the Bread Garden, Joseph's Steakhouse, and Givanni's.
The Wig and Pen, 1220 Highway 6, is yet another underwater restaurant on the Coralville Strip (though technically, it's in Iowa City).
UI student Becky Haluska has been an employee at the Wig and Pen for two years. She is one of the lucky ones, though.
She was working two jobs when the flood rolled into the Iowa River valley - one at the Wig and Pen and one at the UI Hospitals and Clinics.
"I'm glad to have that to fall back on," she said.
The only thing to do now is to wait for the water level to fall, so that cleanup can start.
"That's the worst part about this - nothing's for sure," she said.
One of Haluska's former coworkers is in a similar position. Lindsay Campo also worked at the Wig and Pen for almost two years. She had a job lined up at the UIHC but hadn't started it yet.
"It's on hold right now," she said. "I'm waiting to hear back from them."
If all else fails, Campo is considering filing for unemployment if she cannot work at the hospital.
However, some UI students plan on leaving Iowa City altogether.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Some work available
posted 6/19/08 @ 10:14 AM CST
The Red Cross was hiring in Iowa City yesterday for full time flood cleanup. Don't know the pay, or other details, but some money better than none? There is also the ability to obtain unemployment benefits -if you qualify, lastly there may be some FEMA benefits. (Continued…)
P.T.
posted 6/19/08 @ 12:10 PM CST
I imagine a store like Lowe's would be hiring or seeing additional demand at a time like this, as would a carpet store or other hardware store or sealant business or movers or painters or sewers or builders--the difference is that our area's economy is moving from wants-based to needs-based. (Continued…)
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
posted 6/19/08 @ 3:15 PM CST
Iowa Workforce Development has information available about Disaster Unemployment Assistance and how to apply for these benefits. Many people whose jobs have been disrupted by flooding may qualify for assistance under this program. (Continued…)
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