Additional Coverage:
Northwest Iowa has suffered significant flooding due to intense rainfall, affecting approximately 1,900 properties, with many completely destroyed, according to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. Reynolds reported that by Sunday, the area had seen 250 water rescues on just the previous day, with over a thousand people needing shelter for the night.
The flooding, which began on Friday, saw some regions receiving as much as 15 inches of rain, causing extreme watershed levels. Governor Reynolds noted that rivers surged past the high water marks set during the 1993 floods, with 16 flood gauges marking unprecedented heights.
The state’s Department of Natural Resources revealed by Saturday evening that the deluge impacted 10 water utilities and 21 wastewater systems. Reynolds shared thoughts after an aerial survey of the damage on Sunday, describing the scene as devastating and extensive.
The governor had previously issued an emergency declaration for Sioux County early in the weekend and ordered the Iowa National Guard to support rescue efforts with a helicopter. Additionally, specialized Homeland Urban Search and Rescue teams were activated for the rescues.
A request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration was submitted by Reynolds on Sunday, seeking further federal support for nine affected counties and additional public aid for 22 counties.
John Benson, the governor’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director, underscored the ongoing nature of the crisis, pointing out the potential for more rainfall and rising river levels, especially along the Missouri River, which could exacerbate the flooding.
Reynolds voiced concerns on Sunday evening about the potential for continued and expanding flood impacts across the state. The National Weather Service indicated a hazardous weather outlook not only for northwest Iowa but also for other regions including west central Iowa, parts of Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota, highlighting the broad extent of the flooding risk. Closed roads and significant flooding across various water stages were expected to continue, according to the NWS.