Wanda and Randy Bliek woke up to the sound of water lapping against their home in Rock Valley, Iowa. They had to escape through the windows of their pickup truck and wade through neck-high waters to safety as their neighbors screamed for help from their roofs. The Midwest faced severe flooding over the weekend, with Rock Valley being one of the hardest-hit areas. As the floods receded in some places, challenges persisted, such as a collapsed bridge in North Sioux City, South Dakota, and a dam at risk of failing in southern Minnesota.
The flooding was caused by heavy rain that overwhelmed creeks and rivers, exacerbated by the already saturated ground. Climate change is predicted to increase the frequency of such extreme weather events in the future. Officials across the region faced difficulties in predicting the extent of the flooding and when the worst would hit as rivers continued to rise and shift. Emergency crews worked around the clock to evacuate residents and strengthen defenses against the rising waters, with some towns recording their wettest two-day periods on record.
In North Sioux City, a flood caused some homes to be destroyed, but last-minute levee efforts saved the town from even more devastation. The middle span of a rail bridge collapsed over the Big Sioux River, emphasizing the destructive power of the flooding. Tragedies such as an elderly man’s death in Lincoln County, South Dakota, underscored the dangers posed by the floods. Infrastructure such as dams were also at risk of failing, further complicating the situation in the affected areas.
In Iowa, the Department of Natural Resources conducted numerous water rescues, with estimates of 1,900 properties being affected by flooding. The devastation led to the loss of life, with a man dying after his truck was swept away by the flooded Little Sioux River. Business closures, evacuation of care facilities, and power outages further added to the chaos in the affected regions. President Biden declared a major disaster in Iowa, paving the way for federal assistance to affected counties.
Residents like Joane Rozeboom and Britney Westra in Rock Valley saw their dreams of a boutique washed away by the floods. Despite the destruction, they remained determined to rebuild and reopen their shop. Meanwhile, the Blieks were grateful to find their daughter’s urn intact amidst the ruins of their home, providing them with some solace amidst the devastation. The aftermath of the floods left a trail of destruction and loss, with residents facing significant challenges in the recovery process and the rebuilding of their lives and communities.
