CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — President Bush, surveying the aftermath of devastating floods during a lightning-quick tour of the Midwest on Thursday, assured residents and rescuers alike that he is listening to their concerns and understands their exhaustion.
“Obviously, to the extent we can help immediately, we will help,” said Bush, mindful of criticism that the government reacted slowly to Hurricane Katrina three years ago.
Bush was in Europe when tornadoes hit and heavy rains sent rivers surging over their banks, killing at least 24 people, the majority in Iowa. Flooding forced tens of thousands across six states to flee their homes and washed out millions of acres of prime farm and grazing lands.
The Mississippi River tore through a levee late Wednesday at Winfield, about 50 miles north of St. Louis. Another levee still protected most of the town of 720 residents. Another levee in Lincoln County, Mo., broke Thursday afternoon, threatening the tiny town of Foley.
The flooding wasn’t expected to be quite as bad in St. Louis, but it was forcing the relocation of several upcoming festivals.
