Shawn Johnson’s gym flooded

Olivia Howe let us know of this disaster:

In spite of a community’s sandbagging efforts Thursday night, Chow’s Gymnastics & Dance studio at 2210 Park Ave. in West Des Moines was knee deep in water Friday. …

The flooding displaced Olympic hopeful Shawn Johnson and other gymnasts from their practice facility.

“With the Olympic trials coming up next week, this can’t have found a worse time,” said Liang Chow, owner of the facility and Johnson’s coach.

Chow made arrangements with Iowa State University for Johnson and the competitive gymnastics team she practices with to train at that facility today and Saturday.

About 100 people showed up Thursday night to move equipment to a higher floor and to sandbag around Chow’s, including city councilmen and West Des Moines government personnel.

“I think it would have been a lot worse if we weren’t sandbagging,” West Des Moines city councilman Jim Sandager said. “Shawn is a community asset and we wanted to do what we can to protect her training schedule,”

…

“I’m not complaining,” Chow said. “I have a very touched heart to see so many people helping me.”

Chow’s Gymnastics knee-deep in water – Des Moine Register

(AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) – ESPN