WATERLOO - As Iowa's governor and congressional delegation joined top federal disaster relief officials at a news conference nearby, Bill Gronen noticed raccoon tracks in the mud of his flood-ravaged house.

"We've only had water in the house once, in 1961," said Gronen, whose grandfather built the house in Waterloo's Chautauqua Park Neighborhood. "We've had some close calls but nothing over the walls before."

Cedar River waters that ran more than 5 feet deep through Gronen's house Wednesday had left the building by Friday morning. Gronen and his neighbors were starting to clean up and contemplating whether to return.

"For me, probably not," said Gronen, who fears better drainage systems from roads and farm fields are making the river level more volatile.

"It shows the efficiency of the streets and farmlands," he said. "I think this is going to happen again in the future, and with more frequency."

A throng of federal, state and local elected officials and staffers walked through Chautauqua Park Friday and viewed across the river at severe damage to homes on Sans Souci Island. They promised swift assistance to flood victims before heading down to Cedar Rapids to view more devastation.

"We are clearly under a state of emergency," Gov. Chet Culver said. "While we have been dealt some severe blows, we're tough, we're resilient and I'm confident that we're going to recover."

Iowa's senators Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley joined Rep. Bruce Braley, a Waterloo resident, in vowing to work in Washington to deliver necessary aid.

"We're working together in a very bipartisan atmosphere to make sure our response is very swift and thorough," said Harkin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "Sometime in the next few weeks, there will be some sort of emergency money we'll try to get through Congress."

Grassley, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, promised a similar effort.

"So many people in Iowa are hurting now," he said.

Many state legislators and local council members joined the tour, which also included Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator David Paulison and Jovita Carranza, acting administrator of the Small Business Administration.

Paulison encouraged residents with flood damage to register with FEMA for assistance, either by calling 1-800-621-FEMA or online at www.fema.gov. The agency will help provide rental assistance for displaced residents and will provide some financial support for damages not covered by insurance.

"I know it's not a lot," Paulison said. "It won't rebuild your house but it will help you get back on your feet."

At least one flood victim who gathered around to listen to the news conference grew impatient, asking when actual FEMA inspectors would be around instead of elected officials "for a photo opportunity."

"I know it's frustrating," Paulison told the woman. "It will get better. This is the toughest time."

Paulison said those who registered should see inspectors within a day or two, and his staffers assured residents an inspector would be in Chautauqua Park by Friday afternoon.

He also praised the work of state and local officials, along with relief organizations, in responding to the disaster.

"I see a lot of disasters and you see different levels of expertise, different levels of leadership," he said. "This is an example for the rest of the country."

Long after the federal delegation departed, Jim Hackett returned to his longtime home on Sans Souci island, across the Conger Street bridge.

The Cedar River, which was running near the eaves on some Sans Souci homes Wednesday had fallen substantially. But residents were still wading through knee-deep water to haul items from their damaged property.

"I lost four-wheelers, two cars, lawn mowers and everything else," Hackett said. "I dang near lost my life when (a neighbor's) basement gave in as I was walking round the outside. It took me down and almost sucked me in."

Hackett was pleased with the city's efforts to protect the island's homes, noting no amount of work could have saved Sans Souci from flood levels more than 3 feet over past records.

"The city was so good," he said. "When we asked for sand they were right here with it."

Hackett was pulling on rubber boots as he spoke, preparing to head down for a look at his house.

"Sans Souci will never be the same," he sighed.

Contact Tim Jamison at (319) 291-1577 or tim.jamison@wcfcourier.com.