This past June, the Iowa River overflowed its banks and deluged 20 buildings on the University of Iowa's Iowa City campus. As the floodwaters finally receded, regents and administrators on the Iowa campus began dealing with all the ramifications and lessons of the flooding--including the key roles of testing emergency plans, nonstop communication, and suspension of normal contracting procedures. This article discusses how early planning, constant communication, and teamwork by trustees, the president, and other administrators were essential to the successful crisis management during recent flooding at the University of Iowa. It shows how public response to natural disasters at colleges and universities can remind leaders of how important an institution is to the surrounding community. It also illustrates that no institution can afford to eliminate all future risks which faces hard decisions and priority setting.