DECORAH, IOWA – Severe floods in Northeast Iowa have prompted emergencies across Northeast Iowa, and Governor Branstad announced today he will survey the damage.
Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds said they will tour flooded areas in Winneshiek County Friday morning. The will begin the morning in Decorah, then move on to the historic Inwood Ballroom in Spillvillem which is submerged in water at this time. Finally, they will go to the Community Center in Ft. Atkinson.
Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management (Iowa HSEMD) Director Mark Schouten will also tour the areas with Branstad and Reynolds.
Thursday, Branstad issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties in response to recent severe storms and flash flooding, which have caused major damage throughout that region.
The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of severe storms that significantly impacted those counties Aug. 23, 2016. In addition, the proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Program for residents of those counties.
Winneshiek County experienced substantial rainfall Wednesday, August 24, 2016, which resulted in significant flooding. Clean up kits and information have been made available at the Decorah Public Library for citizens. Damage assessments are being done by state and local officials. Citizens have been advise to “document, document, document” all damage as they begin clean up, and to save all receipts. Stone Ridge Church in Decorah was designated as a primary shelter and the Salvation Army has been providing food service and a limited number of clean up kits at that site for those in need. Emergency Management requested that individuals stay off the roads and not do any unnecessary driving as a number of roads are closed and others washed out.
