Government Kim Reynolds spoke about the state’s emergency response and recovery efforts during a press conference at the State Emergency Operations Center in Johnston on June 23, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Gov. Kim Reynolds said Sunday she has filed a request for an expedited presidential declaration of a major disaster as communities in northwest Iowa continue to experience flooding and storm damage.
The governor issued a state disaster declaration for 22 counties on Saturday as heavy rains caused flooding in northwest and north-central Iowa, raising river levels higher than those of the historic 1993 floods. At a news conference at the State Emergency Operations Center in Johnston, Reynolds said she is seeking federal assistance for Iowans affected by these floods as state and local officials continue to work this weekend to provide emergency management and rescue services in affected communities.
The request comes about a month after President Joe Biden approved federal disaster assistance for Iowa communities hit by tornadoes — specifically Greenfield and Minden.
“It’s been an intense couple of days, it’s been an intense… month and a half, to be honest with you,” Reynolds said. “People work around the clock, and information just changes by the hour. It’s just very, very fluid. So we’re going to do everything we can to keep Iowans informed in the coming days. I think it’s really important to stop and recognize the heroic efforts that are happening on the ground.”
Damage estimates are still rising
Reynolds said she has been in contact with Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, who joined her in Greenfield after the May tornado, to discuss federal assistance for the floods. The letter submitted to Biden estimated costs at more than $8 million — but Iowa Emergency Management Director John Benson said at the news conference that the total extent of costs and damage will likely be higher than currently estimated.
“Please understand that it has only been two days since this flood really hit, so the concept of dollar-related damage is quite frankly unfeasible at this point,” Benson said. “We’re trying to determine what the biggest impacts are in terms of houses destroyed, large houses – and I couldn’t even tell you at this point the damage, for example, to the secondary roads in the state. They will be extensive.”
Reynolds said 1,900 properties have been affected and hundreds destroyed by the water damage so far. In addition, thousands of people have been evacuated from flood zones, with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources conducting 250 water rescues.
Many cities and areas remain without power, and multiple shelters have been set up across the state to help families and individuals displaced by the storm.
In addition to emergency management services, directors of the Iowa Department of Public Safety and Health and Human Services spoke about their staff’s efforts to transport medicine, food and other essential supplies across the state as Iowans dealt with the sudden natural disaster.
Efforts to deal with flooding in northwest Iowa are ongoing, but Benson said Iowans should remain prepared for further severe weather.
“This is, as the governor rightly pointed out, a very serious flood that we are in right now,” he said. “And it will not end; it will blossom across the state.
Donna Dubberke, meteorologist-in-charge with the Des Moines National Weather Service, predicted that further heavy rain could lead to more flooding across the state over the next week. Heavier rain could fall in the eastern and central areas of Iowa over the next week to 10 days, she said, and that is “something to keep a very close eye on.”
“There are a lot of parts here, moving pieces, and a lot going on,” Dubberke said. “And unfortunately we just have to wait and see how the rain will develop so we know exactly what impact it will have on the river system.”
Officials urged Iowans to make sure they have “go bags” ready with necessary medications, documents and other supplies in case they need to leave their place of residence. Additionally, Reynolds and others stressed the importance of obeying evacuation orders and not driving on roads closed due to flooding.
See here for information on how to donate
For people who want to donate or send aid to communities affected by the floods, Benson said they should wait — and that emergency services will be distributing information about the appropriate locations for donations in the coming days. To ensure no money goes to scams, he suggested checking Iowa’s disaster recovery website in the coming days.
Communities will need help as they and government officials move from relief to recovery, he said.
“We recognize that regardless of the disaster, whether it’s a tornado or a flood, it takes a long time to get back on your feet,” Benson said. “And that will be a long process. We are talking months, years.”
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