State of disaster in Iowa, helicopters rush to evacuate flooded Rock Valley

In the pre-dawn hours of June 22, 2024, Rock Valley, Iowa, awoke to sirens and rising waters as the Rock River burst its banks, leaving the town scrambling to evacuate.

As much of the United States struggled with extreme heat, communities in Iowa faced a different kind of disaster. In Rock Valley, Iowa, a town of 4 200 people, sirens blared at 02:00 LT on Saturday, June 22, 2024, warning residents to evacuate as the Rock River overflowed due to excessive rainfall.

Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo stated that the state had dispatched a helicopter to assist with evacuations, but the mission was canceled when boats managed to reach the stranded residents.

“We’ve had so much rain here,” Van Otterloo said. “We had 4 inches [102 mm] last night in an hour and a half time. Our ground just cannot take anymore.”

Governor Kim Reynolds declared a disaster for 21 counties in northern Iowa, including Sioux County, where Rock Valley is located. Drone footage posted by the local sheriff showed only roofs and treetops visible above the water.

A rain gauge in Rock Valley reported over 152 mm (6 inches) of rain over the past several days, while nearby towns of Ashton and Terril reported around 203 mm (8 inches) of rain, with Rock Rapids reporting just under 305 mm (1 foot) as multiple thunderstorms swept across the area, FOX Weather reported.

In addition, flooding along the Big Sioux River at Hawarden exceeded its record crest by 1.2 m (4 feet), leading to mandatory evacuations in town. City officials say power was turned off to parts of town that were underwater, and the water and sewer treatment plant was shut down due to inundation.

In South Dakota, Governor Kristi Noem declared an emergency after heavy rainfall in the southeastern part of the state, where the town of Canton, 48 km (30 miles) southeast of Sioux Falls, received 457.2 mm (18 inches) of rain. Several highways were closed, including a critical section of Interstate 29 south of Sioux Falls, which later reopened.

“Even though the rain is slowing down, we need to keep vigilant,” Noem said. “The worst of the flooding along our rivers will be Monday and Tuesday [June 24 and 25].”

Flooding also affected southern Minnesota, where state highways and county roads were closed. In Windom, a town of about 4 800 people, 31.7 mm (1.25 inches) of rain compounded earlier downpours, causing the Des Moines River to reach a record crest. “

We’re having a tough time just keeping up, putting up barricades,” city council member Jenny Quaid said. “We put barricades up, and then all of a sudden the water’s rising so much, the barricade’s way back in the water.”

Iowa faced additional challenges as power was cut off at wastewater treatment plants in Hawarden and Spencer, affecting 14 000 residents.

Aiden Engelkes, a Spencer resident, described the situation as terrifying. He and his girlfriend grabbed clothes, cats, and bottled water, leaving their flooded first-floor apartment for a friend’s dry space on the fourth floor. His Chevy SUV was submerged except for its antenna. Across the street, friends awaited help on a roof.

While the forecast predicted a small chance of rain through midweek, the National Weather Service anticipated further flooding as high water moved downstream on several northern Iowa rivers.

References:

¹ Flooding forces people from homes in some parts of Iowa while much of US broils again in heat – Fox 59 -June 23, 2024

² Evacuation orders remain in effect for northern Iowa town after levee break, flash flooding – FOX Weather – June 22/23, 2024

Featured image credit: City of Rock Valley