Due to weeks of rainfall, flooding in parts of Iowa has forced people to leave their homes, while much of the rest of the country is eager to escape another round of unusually high temperatures on the 22nd.
Hundreds of Families Forced to Evacuate in Iowa
According to an AP report, Rock Valley, Iowa, unable to withstand the incoming rain any longer, sounded the alarm around 2 a.m. on the 22nd, notifying hundreds of families to evacuate. Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo stated that a state helicopter was routing for rescue. He said, “We had so much rain here, we reached 4 inches in an hour and a half last night. Our ground can no longer take it.”
Governor Kim Reynolds declared a disaster in 21 counties in northern Iowa, including Sioux County, where Rock Valley is located. In drone footage released by the local sheriff, the area showed no streets visible, with only rooftops and treetops peeking above the water.
Multiple highways connected to southeastern South Dakota and northwestern Iowa were closed due to flooding. Power outages at wastewater treatment plants in Hawarden and Spencer, Iowa, could affect 14,000 residents.
While the likelihood of rain in the middle of next week is low, the NWS predicts that before then, the flood area in northern Iowa will expand due to the high water levels of several rivers.
Flooding also closed several state and county roads in southern Minnesota. The town of Windom, with about 4,800 people, received 1.25 inches of rain. City council member Jenny Quaid said, “We struggled to set up barricades, but the water level suddenly rose, washing the barricades away.”
In New Mexico, heavy rain and flash flood warnings prompted officials to order some evacuations and set up shelters for displaced residents. Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford advised on Facebook, “You need to bring a week’s worth of food and drinking water.”
Elsewhere, the torment of heat and humidity continues. The NWS stated that about 15 million people are under the highest level of heat warning, and another 90 million are under heat advisories. The normal lives of millions have been disrupted by the ongoing extreme temperatures.
Governor Urges Biden Administration to Aid 22 Counties
Last Sunday (23rd), Iowa Republican Governor Kim Reynolds urged President Biden to expedite the declaration of a major disaster for more than 20 counties in the state, following severe storms and widespread flooding that began on Friday (21st). A statement from Reynolds’ office revealed that she called for federal assistance for 22 Iowa counties.
According to reports from English-language media, Reynolds stated in a Sunday press conference that most of the flood-affected areas are in northwestern Iowa. She noted that some areas have received up to 15 inches of rain since Friday and warned residents in the southern part of the state that their rivers could soon overflow.
The NWS reported that recent storms have caused widespread regional and river flooding in the Upper Des Moines and Cedar River basins in Iowa.
Reynolds stated, “This flood has caused severe and widespread damage. While our response has been swift, the estimated losses are staggering.” She indicated that approximately 1,900 homes have been affected, hundreds destroyed, and 1,000 displaced residents sheltered overnight. On Saturday (22nd) alone, the state conducted about 250 water rescues.
“Businesses in the affected areas have been forced to close, major streets are flooded, and personnel from hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions have been evacuated,” Reynolds said. “Cities are facing power outages, and some residents are without drinking water.” She noted that the water levels in the flooded rivers are several feet higher than those recorded during the historic floods of 1993, with 16 flood gauges setting new records over the weekend.
Iowa’s 10 water supply systems and 21 wastewater systems have also been impacted by the flooding.
However, Reynolds emphasized that the disaster is not over. She explained that while river levels in the northern part of the state are beginning to recede, residents in the south should prepare for peak river levels in their areas.
John Benson, Director of the Iowa Emergency Management Agency, reiterated that the state is experiencing “a very severe flood,” stating, “The flooding is not stopping; it will continue to spread across the state.”
The National Weather Service indicated on Sunday that Iowa could face more severe storms on Monday night (24th) and Tuesday (25th).
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