Cleanup has begun following this past week's historic flooding in Iowa, and many people are just beginning to take stock of what has been lost. As you might expect, many aren't brought to tears over the loss of the refrigerator or couch, as much as the loss of precious family photographs, scrapbooks and memorabilia.

While it may seem unlikely when facing piles of soggy, mud-spattered photos, papers and other valuables, saving them may very well be possible On this site, see Tips for Salvaging Flood & Water Damaged Photos & Documents. More suggestions for water damaged photos and papers, as well as for furniture, metal and other treasured items come from the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, Tips for the Care of Water-Damaged Famly Heirlooms and Other Valuables. If your house itself is a treasure then you may find Saving Your Flood Damaged Older and Historic Buildings from Preservation Nation to be helpful. It was written for New Orleans residents following Hurricane Katrina, but applies here as well.