Husband Urges Wife Amidst Iowa’s Record Flooding
TL/DR –
Severe flooding has affected the Midwestern states of Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota, causing widespread property damage and several fatalities. The flooding has been attributed to extreme weather events, a phenomenon experts say is becoming more common due to climate change. Meanwhile, President Biden has declared a major disaster in Iowa, paving the way for federal funding assistance.
Severe Flooding Brings Devastation in Midwestern States
Wanda and Randy Bliek woke to surging waters against their Rock Valley, Iowa home on Saturday. They were forced to escape their pickup truck through the windows and swim to safety as the floodwaters engulfed their street.
Rock Valley, a town in northwest Iowa, was one of the hardest-hit areas in a weekend of intense flooding that ravaged homes and farmlands, forcing residents to scramble for safety in three Midwestern states.
As floodwaters abated in some regions, danger lingered. A key railroad bridge crumbled in North Sioux City, S.D., due to record water levels on the Big Sioux River, and a dam in southern Minnesota risked failing on Monday.
The harsh weather fallout included record-breaking floods in 2019 and unrelenting rainfall this month, caused by climate change leading to weather extremes. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz emphasized the need for more resilient construction in the wake of these calamities.
The latest floods continued to baffle authorities with the unpredictable river forecasts. In Iowa, hundreds of properties were destroyed, while in Minnesota, the National Guard was mobilized following heavy rains. River levels were declining near North Sioux City, but towns like Yankton and Vermillion still faced threats.
In North Sioux City, homes were ruined, and murky water inundated the city. Emergency Director Jason Westcott of Union County, S.D., stated that without their mitigation efforts, the city would be submerged. A rail bridge over the Big Sioux River collapsed, but BNSF Railway had suspended its usage due to flood conditions.
In Blue Earth County, Minn., authorities warned that the Rapidan Dam was at a “critical failure condition”. In Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds reported 250 water rescues conducted in a day. About 1,900 properties were reportedly affected by flooding, with many homes, businesses, and hospitals evacuated.
Meanwhile, President Biden declared a major disaster in Iowa, enabling federal funding assistance for several counties. In Rock Valley, the local community started recovery efforts, with individuals like Joane Rozeboom and her daughter vowing to reopen their flood-damaged boutique, Copper Rose Apparel.
In Rock Valley, the Blieks returned to their severely damaged house. Amid the wreckage, they found their daughter’s urn undisturbed, bringing a small sense of comfort to the devastated couple.
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