The Cedar River crested at 3:30pm on Friday, June 13, 2008, at roughly 20 ft above flood stage, and nearly 12 feet above the previous record of 20ft set in 1929.As CRATOS watches local news broadcasts we are holding out hope for the pipe chambers in both the Paramount and Iowa Theatres. Based upon news footage of the downtown, the water levels at the Paramount Theatre came within 1 foot of the bottom of the marquee (roughly 8ft of water from street level). It is generally thought that this places the console, which was placed at stage level, completely submerged. The Barton in the Iowa Theatre appears to be in a better position, but still looking as though there is 2 – 4 feet of water at stage level.

No access to the downtown area is possible except for authorized business owners under escort to retrieve business items. We are holding out for the waters to continue to recede and for our first opportunity to gain access to both theatres to assess and document the damage.

We are working on gathering some additional photos of current conditions and will publish them in our

Thank you to everyone who has called, emailed and left notes of encouragement and support on the various organ websites.

As you may already be aware, Cedar Rapids, IA and the surrounding communities have been ravaged by record setting floods over the past several days.

CRATOS raised the organ console at the Paramount Theatre to its highest level on Wednesday afternoon in anticipation of the flood.  On the morning of June 12, 2008, the flood waters were reported to have entered the theatre.  We are awaiting further updates on the status of the theatre and it’s original installation Wurlitzer.

A few blocks away, the original installation 3/14 Rhinestone Barton is also up on its console lift.  Reports on the condition of that theatre are not yet in.

We are watching and waiting for more information on the organs, and our community.

As more information on the Wurlitzer and Barton are available

The Cedar Rapids Paramount theatre and its 3/12 Wurlitzer:

As of 6:20pm Central time conversation with the theatre Management was that sandbags were breached at 7:00 this morning with water pouring in all doors.� It is believed that the water level is a few feet higher than the stage.  This means blower, lift, lift motor, cable, and console are waterlogged.  I am told the earliest anyone – including theatre management will have access to the building will be at least six days from now.  We are assuming the worst at this venue.

The Iowa Theatre and its 3/14 Rhinestone Barton.

I was unable to reach anyone at the Iowa Theatre but looking at the aerial views it appears the Iowa theatre is also having water as the building is surrounded on all sides by water that looks to be at least a foot deep. The flooding would affect the console obviously but everything else “should” be safe.

Thanks to all for notes and calls of concerns. I am guessing we will have a very intense summer of organ work ahead of us.

Darren Ferreter, President