DES MOINES – Gov. Terry E. Branstad issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for five counties in response to overnight storms: Cedar, Lyon, Plymouth, Pocahontas, and Sioux.
The Governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to prepare for, respond to and recover from the effects of storms and flooding. These resources may be used for flood protection or the removal of debris on publicly-owned or privately-owned land that may threaten public health and safety.
Some of the resources that have been deployed to date through Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management:
- Lyon County
o Three 3-inch pumps (two to Rock Rapids, one to George)
o Officer support for traffic control (from the Iowa Department of Public Safety)
- Plymouth County
o 20,000 sandbags
- Pocahontas County
o 10,000 sandbags
- Sioux County
o 250,000 sandbags
o Sand from Iowa Department of Transportation to Rock Valley
o Urban Search and Rescue Team to assist with potential rescues
The State Emergency Operations Center is now partially staffed, and the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Governor’s Office continue to closely monitor the situation.
Branstad and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department (HSEMD) Director Mark Schouten will survey damage in Lyon and Sioux counties tomorrow, June 18, 2014, beginning at approximately 11:30 a.m. in Rock Rapids, Iowa. Following the tour in Rock Rapids, the pair will travel to Rock Valley, Iowa. A full schedule is below. All times are approximations.
Heavy rains caused flooding in parts of northwest Iowa as a band of strong storms passed through the state on Monday, June 16, 2014.In Lyon County, the Rock Rapids Water Treatment Plant is shut down due to flooding, and the community is coordinating with Pepsi to provide donated drinking water. Sioux County is taking precautions in preparation for flooding along the Rock River. Local emergency management officials have also reported bridges being washed out from significant rainfall.
