Flooding causes more problems around area

Red Cross offers cleanup supplies to residents, businesses

By KATIE SCHMITT, Messenger staff writer
Gov. Chet Culver has placed several Iowa counties, including Webster County, under the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation.

This will allow state resources to be used at no cost to local governments during the widespread flooding across Iowa.

Tony Jorgensen, Webster County Emergency Management coordinator, said the rivers are starting to go down but there is still concern for the Riverdale, Breen and Scenic Drive additions.

‘‘There is only one way in and out of those areas so the residents need to pay close attention,’’ Jorgensen said.

Jorgensen said the ground is completely saturated with no water soaking in, and there is more rain on the way.

‘‘The Red Cross has been put on standby in the event that evacuees need to be sheltered,’’ Jorgensen said.

Linda Von Bank, of the Brushy Creek Area Chapter of the American Red Cross in Fort Dodge, said supplies to clean up after the flood will be available for homes and businesses.

‘‘Anyone who would like one can give our office a call or stop by,’’ Von Bank said. The Red Cross office is located at 20 N. 16th St. and can be reached at 576-1911. Individuals outside of the Fort Dodge area should contact their local Emergency Management Agency. The Salvation Army has also been providing cleanup kits.

The Red Cross received 315 kits Monday afternoon that will be distributed to Humboldt, Wright and Hamilton counties. Graham Tire helped unload the truck.

“I would hate to see them have to lift everyone of these out by hand,” said Denny Menke, an employee for Graham Tire for 13 years.

Clean-up kits include a bucket, various cleaners, plastic tarp, gloves, and a collapsible broom with mop and squeegy head.

Kerrie Hull, coordinator for the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency, said they were very lucky. Most of the streams and creeks are out of their banks but it has only affected farmland.

Terry Johnston, of the Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency, said before this weekend they didn’t have a lot of problems.

‘‘The biggest problem now is the water,’’ Johnston said. ‘‘We simply ran out of barricades or anything to close roads with or danger signs.’’

He said numerous county roads have water over them. Webster City, Blairsburg and Randall have needed sandbagging.

‘‘We got around 6 inches of rain and it had to go somewhere so it went into basements,’’ Johnston said. ‘‘The Boone River crested at higher than it had in the 1993 floods.’’

In 1993 the Boone River reached just over 15 feet. It was reported to have crested a little over 17 feet this past weekend.

‘‘That is just 2 feet less than the 100-year flood in 1954,’’ he said. ‘‘We haven’t had as much water as we got yesterday in over 50 years.’’

There have been no major roadways reported closed, but Jorgensen said people traveling on gravel roads should be extremely careful.

He said many people have been slowing down on roads and bridges to look at flood damage, but this can create a serious hazard that could result in injury to themselves or others and create a problem for emergency responders. It is very important for people to watch the road ahead for water blocking the path.

Johnston said U.S. Highway 69 was partially blocked during the storm Sunday but all roads have been opened, some with only one lane of traffic.

Webster City’s Public Works Department issued a release stating that there has been no concerns of water quality and that the water is safe to drink.

Gary Boerner, sanitarian for Webster County Environmental Health, said those areas with well services should be cautious when drinking their water if the well had been flooded.

‘‘I’m not aware of any sewage backing up,’’ said Boerner. ‘‘If your well has been flooded, we offer free tests. Just give me a call.’’

Boerner said he could be reached at 574-3801.



Contact Katie Schmitt at (515) 573-2141 or katie@messengernews.net