According to Humboldt County Emergency Management Coordinator Kyle Bissell, the West Fork of the Des Moines River is expected to crest at 7 p.m. at 16.5 feet. This has dropped from a previous forecast of 16.9 feet.

“That’s good news for our citizens and businesses in the area,” said Bissell during a Facebook Live press conference on Tuesday.

Bissell said the county saw moderate flooding on Tuesday, but that the river is expected to rise rapidly today, potentially more than 2 feet in 24 hours. Some homes in the area have water in backyards and up to the foundation. Many homes in the flood zone have also built up sand berms around their properties.

MidAmerican Energy also shut off gas and electricity to homes in the impacted areas in advance of the flooding.

-Drone photo by Rick Thompson
Sandbags surround Zink Salon and American Barber Shop on Fifth Avenue North and U.S. Highway 169 just east of Reasoner Dam.

“We’re ready for whatever comes and we’re expecting it to get worse,” said Bissell. “This is the calm before the major storm arrives.”

Humboldt County officials are asking citizens not involved in flood operations to stay home Wednesday and out of the flood impacted areas.

“Stay away from the flood waters,” said Bissell. “This is for safety reasons as it taxes our Police Department and first response personnel.”

Flooding is also expected to affect the cities of Rutland and Bradgate. Bissell said he and first response agencies are working with local officials on their flood response.

On Tuesday, the city of Humboldt also issued a water conservation order asking residents to conserve water. A press release from the city stated that they “are hopeful that the new pumps at the lift station will be able to handle increased pressure on our sanitary sewer system from flood water infiltration, and we are urging residents to conserve their water use as much as possible to avoid adding to the sewer system.”

-Drone photo by Rick Thompson
The Ubben Lentz Funeral Home on Third Avenue North and U.S. Highway 169 just east of Reasoner Dam is surrounded by sandbags. The Des Moines River can be seen through the trees behind the building.

-Drone photo by Rick Thompson
The AmericInn in Humboldt and other buildings are enclosed by sandbags in preparation for flooding