The Cedar River flood is a municipal disaster, Katrina was a regional, four state disaster. Of course the midwest floods have not run their courses yet. Nine major systems in Iowa had extreme flooding and this discharge is moving into the Mississippi. Collections have remained in buildings as contrasted with complete building loss in the Gulf. That means much more intensive collection salvage. Contaminated fresh rather than salt water is a factor and mold will be severe. River front institutions tend to have intensive and extensive interpretive exhibits and these are a total loss in flooded buildings.
In general, collections salvage is very labor intensive for results possible; both in collections extraction and stabilization and in very long term collections conservation. As a result disaster precaution, collection evacuation execution prior to event and safer institution siting are crucial and well worth more investment.
Gary