Boats, choppers help evacuate Northwest Iowa cities

Rock Valley residents were evacuated Saturday by boats and helicopters, and Hawarden residents were told not to drink the water, as flash flooding inundated Northwest Iowa’s Sioux County.

Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster declaration, opening up state assistance in responding to the disaster, as local officials closed roads, turned off power preemptively, called out volunteers to sandbag and dispatched rescue teams across Rock Valley, a community of over 4,000.

“Evacuating our citizens who are still needing assistance is our number one priority right now. Currently we have dive teams, swift boats and task force teams in the water and evacuation plans are in place,” the city of Rock Valley advised its residents over social media Saturday morning. “Using pickups, tractors, trucks or loaders is no longer an option for evacuation because of the water current and height. Please know all boats and teams are doing all they can to get to each and every one of your loved ones.”

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To the south, the Hawarden Water and Sewer Plant was shut down Saturday as floodwaters approached. “Do not use bathrooms and do not drink water,” the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office advised the water customers.

Reports to the National Weather Service included accounts of 60 mph wind gusts or higher in Spencer, 1-inch diameter hail in Everly and reports of street flooding and abandoned vehicles in several locations in the area.

The weather service warned the flash flooding could get worse as the excess water makes its way to the Missouri River, where its levels could not be controlled.

“Another round of heavy rain fell over the already flooded areas of southeast (South Dakota) and northwest (Iowa) into southern (Minnesota). The James, Vermillion, Big Sioux, Floyd, and Little Sioux Rivers all of forecast points in major flood stage with several already exceeding or forecast to exceed record flood stage,” a forecaster warned. “All of this water is headed into the Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam, and thus uncontrolled by the system of dams.”

Weeks of rain in the area have causes rivers to crest. Residents were advised Friday to restrict travel. But the flooding worsened quickly overnight, and roads and bridges began to be closed. By Saturday, local officials had stopped traffic traveling to the cities and were continuing to evacuate residents.