Flooding in northwest Iowa has reached critical levels, prompting Governor Kim Reynolds to declare a state disaster.
Following unprecedented river flooding, the governor has committed state and federal assistance for recovery efforts in the affected regions, including Rock Valley.
The Hill reported that Sioux County has been particularly hard-hit, with the Rock River breaking previous records by more than five feet. This was exacerbated by a staggering amount of rainfall – 15 inches over three days – leading to catastrophic water levels.
The flooding prompted immediate action from state officials. Governor Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for Sioux County, focusing state resources on the emergent situation.
Small towns, particularly Rock Valley, were among the worst affected. A levee failure north of Highway 18 necessitated evacuations, underlining the severity of the flooding.
This event marks one of the worst flooding incidents in the area since 1993, showing the significant strain on local infrastructure and community safety networks. In response to the rising waters, early Saturday alarms urged Rock Valley residents to seek safety from the incoming floods.
Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo of Rock Valley highlighted the overwhelming nature of the weather event. "We’ve had so much rain here. We had four inches in just 90 minutes last night. Our soil just can’t absorb anymore," detailed Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo.
Governor Kim Reynolds took to the skies to survey the damage, capturing and sharing aerial photographs of the flooded areas on Saturday. This visual evidence has played a significant role in detailing the extent of the damage statewide.
The governor has also sought federal assistance to manage the crisis, requesting an expedited presidential disaster declaration for Sioux County, with expectations of extending these declarations to additional counties in need.
In her remarks, Governor Kim Reynolds outlined the scale of the disaster and the state's response:
Rivers cresting above 1993 record levels and the devastation is widespread. I’m committing the full resources of the state and coordinating with federal agencies to help Iowans recover.
Rescue and relief operations have become a sight common across the impacted regions, with local, state and potentially federal resources synchronizing to aid those affected. The community has also rallied to support evacuees and strengthen sandbagging efforts around critical infrastructure.
While the immediate focus remains on securing safety and managing ongoing risks, attention is slowly turning towards recovery and rebuilding efforts. Governor Kim Reynolds promised full state coordination, which will likely extend into the foreseeable future as the community seeks to rebuild and reinforce against potential future threats.
Iowa's leaders, alongside community members, continue tirelessly working to mitigate the current flooding and prepare for what recovery entails. The solidarity and resilience shown by affected communities reflect a strong, united response to natural disasters.
As cleanup and recovery efforts begin, Governor Reynolds assures ongoing support and coordination, marking the initial steps toward what will be a lengthy recovery process.
