Vast swathes of land stretching from eastern Nebraska and South Dakota to Iowa and Minnesota have been besieged by flooding caused by heavy rains since last week, while also witnessing a severe heat wave. Up to 46 centimeters of rain fell in some places. In some areas, rivers reached record levels, hundreds of people were rescued and homes were damaged, in addition to continued warnings of hurricanes, flash floods and large hail.
Evictions
The National Weather Service issued several tornado warnings in parts of Iowa and Nebraska, where local television meteorologists showed images of large hailstones and reported very heavy rain. No tornado damage was immediately reported, and the extent of hail damage is. obvious, as the weather service extended flood warnings to several rivers in South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota. Previously, floodwaters breached levees in Iowa, creating dangerous conditions that prompted evacuations.
The Monona County Sheriff’s Office, near the Nebraska border, said the Little Sioux River breached the levee in several areas. In neighboring Woodbury County, the sheriff’s office posted drone video on Facebook showing the river overflowing the levee, submerging rural Smithland land. No injuries were immediately reported.
Protective measures
As more areas flooded, some towns and villages cleaned up after the waters receded, while other towns and villages downstream piled up sandbags and took other measures to protect themselves against the currents swollen. Some modest natural tributaries swelled into rivers, damaging homes and buildings. and bridges.
The five major rivers in the southeastern state have peaked and are slowly declining, said Tim Coman, South Dakota state geologist.
In Sioux City and Woodbury County, Iowa, authorities responded to residents’ complaints that they had little warning about flooding and its severity, and rivers crested higher than expected, Sioux City Fire Marshal Mark Isoff said at a news conference.
“Even if we had known about this two weeks ago, there’s nothing we could have done at this point,” Sioux City Fire Chief Mark Isoff said. “We probably can’t extend the full length of the dam.” Suffer interior water damage.
200 calls
Forever Wildlife Lodge and Clinic, a nonprofit animal rescue organization in northwest Iowa, has responded to more than 200 calls since the flooding began, said Amanda Haas, a certified wildlife rehabilitator. wildlife.
Hess called the flooding “catastrophic” for Iowa’s wildlife as they are washed out of their dens, hit by debris and separated from each other. She and other rehabilitators respond to calls for all kinds of species, from antelopes to rabbits to eagles. I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said. “It’s never been this bad.”
