The director of the State Emergency Management Division says there’s some possibility of relief today for north-central and northwest Iowa which have been saturated with rainfall. Division director David Miller says forecasters say there’s the potential for a break in the rain. He says the forecast looks a little better, but there are some calls for locally heavy rain that raises a concern, depending on where it falls.
Miller says the heaviest rain is through the Des Moines River basin, and it looks like that shouldn’t be a problem down through Saylorville. Miller says they’re in a bit of a waiting game. He says forecasters say if they can get through today into tomorrow, then things should start to dry out a bit. Miller says right now the rain appears to have moved a little bit south, which will help out. Calhoun County Boone, Humboldt, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, and Webster counties have been declared disaster areas by the governor — allowing the state to help out.
Miller says they’ve been doing some sandbagging and working with the Army Corps of Engineers to bring in some pumps. Near Fort Dodge they brought in some rock to shore up the levy there. Miller says there’s been a lot of basement flooding and some damage to roadways. Miller says the state has lots of resources available. He says the Department of Transportation plays a key role, as does the Department of Public Safety, and prison workers can be used to fill sandbags if needed.
Miller says so far the state’s role has been limited. Miller says right now local officials are handling the bulk of things with local volunteers, with some requests for state assistance that is mainly for pumps form the Corps of Engineers. Miller says the Iowa National Guard could also be called in to help if the situation warranted.