Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster declaration for 21 counties in the northwestern part of the state on Saturday, June 22nd, due to heavy rainfall causing rivers in the area to reach record levels. Some cities have had to close public facilities, and residents have been forced to evacuate.
According to the local newspaper The Des Moines Register, Governor Kim Reynolds issued the disaster declaration for the entire northwestern region of Iowa, encompassing 21 counties. The Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Department of Transportation’s traffic and information hotline 511 have warned that flooding has submerged roads and advised people not to travel to the area.
The situation in Rock Valley is particularly dire, with upstream rainfall reaching up to 15 inches in the past 72 hours. This has led to a rapid rise in the Rock River’s water levels, exceeding 27 feet, setting a historic record. Data from the National Water Prediction Service of the National Weather Service indicates that this surpasses the previous record by 5 feet and is 8 feet higher than the main flood stage record of 19 feet.
On Saturday morning, a levee breached in Rock Valley, prompting the city to sound alarms and instruct residents north of Highway 18 to evacuate. State police blocked access roads to the city, allowing only local residents to enter. The city posted on its Facebook page that rescue teams were evacuating residents by boat as the “flow and height of the water” made vehicle use impossible.
According to the Associated Press, Rock Valley Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo mentioned that a state government helicopter was dispatched for rescue efforts, but as boats were able to reach stranded residents soon after, the helicopter rescue operation was subsequently called off.
The wastewater treatment plants in Hawarden and Spencer lost power, affecting a total of 14,000 residents in these two cities.
Governor Reynolds stated that the Iowa Emergency Operations Center has begun addressing the flooding situation.
These recent events in Iowa highlight the urgent need for response and support in the face of natural disasters, showcasing the resilience of communities coming together in times of crisis to ensure the safety and well-being of all affected individuals.