One year ago, catastrophic floods devastated communities across western Iowa.

From Rock Valley, Correctionville, and Hawarden to Spencer, Sioux City, and Cherokee, countless towns faced unthinkable destruction and first responders bravely jumped into action. Homes, businesses, hospitals, schools, farms, and other infrastructure were damaged — many beyond repair — leaving families unsure of the future and communities looking for solutions. Tragically, several people even lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families on this somber anniversary.

For 2024, storm-related damage across our state was estimated at nearly $550 million by August. This includes $130 million worth of damage to infrastructure as well as damage to 1,900 properties.

In Rock Valley alone, nearly half of the town’s 4,100 homes were impacted by the floods. Not included in this cost is the lost income for families, businesses, and farmers and the distress and uncertainty that affected so many people.

But even in the toughest of times, Iowans faced this challenge head-on and stepped up to help those who lost everything. With the overwhelming destruction, came an overwhelming response from our communities. People rallied around their neighbors, lent a helping hand, and volunteered their time serving food and cleaning up. Farmers deployed their payloaders to haul away debris, churches organized care packages, and local restaurants donated to flood recovery.

The emotional distress of losing everything is a toll that no dollar amount can cover. In the aftermath, I was on the ground with Gov. Reynolds examining the damage and assisting in recovery efforts. I saw firsthand the loss and desperation that hit our communities. In those first few days following the floods, I worked to get presidential disaster declarations approved as quickly as possible to deliver federal relief and resources to Iowa. There was not a moment to spare.

As we continue to recover from last year’s devastating floods, it’s clear that our communities are resilient. When we get knocked down, we stand back up. When life takes a turn for the worse, our faith grounds us.

In the wake of these flood waters, we’ve found a renewed sense of community and togetherness. We have reaffirmed our Iowa values and are even more aligned in our focus on community growth and prosperity. Our Main Streets are recovering, crops are once again growing in our fields, and, slowly but surely, our homes are returning to normalcy.

In Congress, I have been using my voice to advocate for those affected. Step by step, I have worked with FEMA and community leaders — and even spoke with Acting Administrator of FEMA David Richardson — to help our families, neighbors, and communities recover and rebuild. Working with Terry Hemann, superintendent of Spencer Community Schools, we were able to help Spencer Community Schools secure nearly $2 million to support flood recovery and cleanup efforts. Our office also worked to get the post offices in Rock Valley, Storm Lake, and Charter Oak reopened.

On this one-year anniversary, while we mourn those lost and share our neighbors’ pain, we also recognize the resolve and resilience of Iowans. My promise to Iowa is that I will not quit until every community gets the full relief that they deserve and need to rebuild.

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, represents Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District.