Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds told reporters on Sunday that 1,900 properties have been affected by flooding in northwest Iowa as a result of excessive rainfall, with hundreds of them destroyed.
Reynolds stated that over 1,000 residents needed to be sheltered overnight and that there had been 250 water rescues on Saturday during a media conference.
Severe flooding resulted from 10 to 15 inches of rain falling in some locations starting on Friday.
16 flood gauges reported historic levels, and rivers peaked many feet above 1993 flood records, according to Reynolds.
The floods had impacted 21 wastewater systems and 10 water systems as of Saturday night, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
Reynolds stated on Sunday that there has been extensive and catastrophic damage after taking an aerial tour of the area. Reynolds claims that earlier in the weekend, Sioux County received its first disaster emergency proclamation. The Iowa National Guard was also instructed to prepare a chopper for rescue operations.
According to her, water rescues were handled by Homeland’s Urban Search and Rescue teams.
Reynolds filed a request for an accelerated Presidential Major Disaster Declaration on Sunday. They are requesting public help for 22 counties and additional federal support for nine counties in that request.
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As the issue is far from ended, the governor’s director of homeland security and emergency management, John Benson, stated that they are still working nonstop.
More rain is predicted for the upcoming week, and the Missouri River’s gauges are rising swiftly, according to Benson.
Reynolds stated on Sunday night that flooding might remain a problem and possibly affect other areas of the state due to the extra rain.
The National Weather Service reports that there is a hazardous weather outlook for northwest Iowa, west central Iowa, southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska, central South Dakota, east central South Dakota, south-central South Dakota, and southeast South Dakota.
