By Gray Television Iowa Capitol Bureau and Conner Hendricks
Published: Jun. 23, 2024 at 2:59 PM CDT
JOHNSTON, Iowa (Gray Television Iowa Capitol Bureau) - Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds addressed the ongoing flooding in the northwestern portion of the state. The Governor hosted a press conference at the State Emergency Operations Center in Johnston Sunday afternoon.
Officials from the state’s Departments of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Public Safety, Transportation, Health and Human Services, and Natural Resources all spoke, as well as the Des Moines National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office’s meteorologist-in charge.
The Governor opened by noting parts of northwest Iowa have received up to 15 inches of rain over two days. The State Emergency Operations Center was activated Saturday morning and is up and running around the clock. A disaster proclamation has been issued for 22 counties, with Palo Alto County being the most recent. Homeland Security and DNR teams have conducted some 250 water rescues Saturday alone. More counties could be added as the water flows downstream.
The Governor and members of her cabinet toured the floods from the air Saturday, calling the damage “severe and widespread.” 16 flood gauges reached record levels. It’s estimated about 1,900 properties have been impacted, along with agricultural land.
The DNR says 10 water plants and 21 wastewater systems have been affected as of Saturday night. More than 1,000 Iowans were sheltered as officials continue evacuating residents.
“It’s not over yet,” Reynolds warned, mentioning more rain in the forecast over the next seven to 10 days and the impacts yet to flow downstream.
Reynolds said she has filed a request for an expedited Presidential major disaster declaration for federal assistance for nine counties. 22 more have been tabbed for public assistance.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announced Saturday a crewed Nebraska National Guard helicopter is being deployed at least through Monday to assist with search and rescue efforts in and around Sioux City.
Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management John Benson says his department is focused on doing what it can to help residents.
“This is a very serious flood that we’re in right now, and it is not going to cease,” he said. “It’s going to last across the state.”
The main priority right now, Benson says, is restoring water services and supporting shelters across northwest Iowa. For those wishing to help, Benson advised to direct them locally and suggested cash donations over goods.
Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens says the main mission is with crews on the ground. The Iowa State Patrol’s AirWing helicopter was able to launch quickly to assess damage aerially, as well as assisting with search and rescue. ISP road troopers are working to enforce evacuations where necessary and establish access points for communities and supply convoys.
ISP is also assisting smaller communities with calls for service. Bayens said Clay County’s dispatch center lost power after it took on water; the State Patrol was able to set up a mobile command post and is answering calls for service there as long as they are needed.
IDOT director Scott Marler asks travelers to obey barricades that are set up -- turn around and do not drive into floodwaters. The focus right now is maintaining access to communities where possible; the department has moved 23 pumps around the state to help out. Cot missions have been carried out as well in towns like Rock Valley and Hawarden to ensure residents have a place to rest.
DNR director Kayla Lyon says her staff is on the ground working to restore water supply to affected communities, as well as assessing debris management. Lyon mentioned 22 conservation officers used boats at one point to perform water rescues -- including getting a wheelchair-bound resident whose house flooded to safety.
IHHS director Kelly Garcia says this disaster isn’t the first the department has responded to, but “definitely the largest.” Cots, linens and towels are being distributed where they are needed. Work is also underway on an application for Disaster SNAP benefits, which will be available once the Presidential disaster declaration request is approved.
Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Stephen Osborn noted medical evacuation resources are tight at the moment, but the one unit still here at home has been conducting rescues. 25 soldiers have also been moving commodities since last night, along with deploying high-water vehicles in the Rock Valley and Spencer areas.
Benson was asked about this flooding event compared to the historic floods of 2019 -- he called it “terribly dissimilar.” Housing and business impacts aren’t short fixes, he noted, and a dollar estimate on the extent of the damage is “totally unattainable.”
Reynolds mentioned mutual aid from other states could be coming, especially for portions of eastern Iowa as the water continues flowing downstream.
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