NEW HARTFORD - Last week's flooding, along with damage from a tornado three weeks ago, threatened to wipe New Hartford off the map. And rumors suggest the Federal Emergency Management Agency will buy out the community, population 659.

Not true, says Vincent Clark, an informational officer for external affairs with FEMA: It's still too early to tell.

"I've heard nothing specific in New Hartford," Clark said. "In any flood it's necessary to look at whether it's feasible for people to continue living in an area."

It's not too early, however, to register with FEMA or amend aid applications at the mobile disaster recovery center set up at the fire station, said Patty Clarke, center's manager. The center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Small Business Administration also assists homeowners.

An estimated 600 homes were affected by Beaver Creek's floodwaters.

Junk littered curbs in front of nearly every house and business Tuesday in New Hartford, but collection has been delayed because FEMA requires bids from three companies.

"If we don't follow the guidelines they set for us, our funding will be jeopardized," said Christine Schipper, city secretary.

Property owners can drop off hazardous materials and appliances at a vacant lot on Main Street. Mason City Iron & Metal Recycling Service has already trucked away nearly 200 appliances, site monitor Kristi Dennis said.

Homes that did not flood have power. Others will be surveyed before electricity is restored. For gas, call MidAmerican Energy at (888) 427-5632.

Residents can pick up mail at the post office in Cedar Falls by calling (319) 266-4734 in advance. Also, Beaver Creek Days have been postponed.

Shirley Clemens, a resident for more than 21 years, pulled on rubber boots in her driveway on the west end of town. Her flooded basement has been inaccessible since water washed away the staircase and caved in two walls. Flooring also buckled.

With her house and camper totaled, Clemens relocated to a motel in Waterloo with her husband, Gary, and son, Matthew. They also have two dogs and two cats.

Neighbor Brian Mueller is debating whether to rebuild his parents' home.

"It depends on what the insurance company says," said Mueller, a 28-year resident. "That's the big thing right now."

Conrad Weber of rural Stout has lived in the area for 63 years. He stopped by Trustworthy Hardware to buy bird feed. It will be one of the final sales at the three-generation store. Owners are calling it quits, and inventory will be soon be discounted.

"It just takes too much to fix it and get rid of the mold," said Randy Johnson, a lifelong resident of New Hartford.

This time, the store took on 31 inches of water, more than in past years. Johnson's grandfather, John, opened the business in 1931, and his father and uncle had a hand in the enterprise years later. Farmers Cooperative is the current owner.

City Clerk Lynne Anderson and her husband, Mel, sifted through waterlogged cemetery records, bonds and other documents, some dating to the 1800s. While mayor's court books are warped and muddy, they're worth saving, she said. Some calligraphy was inked before the widespread use of ballpoint pens. Minute books stayed dry.

Down the road is the Elizabeth Rasmussen Martin Memorial Library, a memorial to the wife of the late Roy Martin of Martin Bros. Distributing in Cedar Falls. There, only about 1,000 of 5,600 books survived. Four computer towers were junked, but monitors and keyboards are OK.

Carole Joblinske, a member of the library board, is optimistic antiques can be salvaged. Vopal Youngberg, the unofficial town historian, had a special room in the library for historical artifacts, like a desk donated recently of possibly the first doctor in New Hartford. A 100-year-old quilt is at the cleaners.

Charlene Ingalls wants to reopen Ingall's Little House Cafe on Main Street next week. She had no insurance but found replacement appliances at an estate sale on Beaver Street, which escaped major flooding. Ingalls hasn't sought FEMA's assistance because at 61, she doesn't want a loan.

Tuesday was the first day she was able to squish into her mobile home, which took in a foot of water.

A sign on the door at Kwik Star read, "Closing. Re-Opening Depending!!!" The interior had been gutted.

At Dike-New Hartford's elementary and junior high campus, Principal Jerry Martinek said the building will be stripped.

"Everything's coming out down to the shell, unless there's something we can leave in while they clean," he said.

Mud-soaked carpet, tiles, kitchen appliances and cabinets will be replaced. At least 10 Dumpsters have already been hauled away.

Salvageable furniture is being transported to a Remington Hybrid Seed's warehouse east of Dike. Computer servers are still being checked for damage. District employees scurried to move items to higher shelves as water levels rose, and the effort saved the library books.

School will resume Aug. 16. However, Martinek is concerned about the potential loss of students if families relocate.

"Time's going to tell, but I would anticipate there are going be people moving out of town," he said. "But there will still be a town here, and there will still be a school here."

The Evangelical Free and Center Street Baptist churches in Marshalltown sent about 40 volunteers Tuesday, and by 3 p.m. it was break time.

"We look like detasselers. Our feet hurt, our backs hurt, our hands hurt," said Glenette Bailey, who participated with her husband, Chuck.

The group's bus driver hauled away scrap wood to a burn pile. And Gonzalo Avalos recruited his brother, Jose, who is visiting from California. Gonzalo Avalos also donated clothes to the relief effort.

"Here's proof we did something today," volunteer Audrey Hartzler added. "We got dirty gloves."

Contact Tina Hinz at (319) 291-1484 or tina.hinz@wcfcourier.com.