The clean-up is beginning in some of areas of northeast Iowa impacted by recent flooding.

In Sumner, water from the swollen Little Wapsipinicon River has begun to recede. Most of the community was inundated after parts of Bremer County were deluged by an estimated 10 inches of rain on Friday (July 21, 2017).

Damage assessments were expected to get underway in Sumner on Sunday, Bremer County Emergency Management Officials said. Information from each assessment will be forwarded to Iowa Homeland Security for further review and possible action based on dollar values of damage.


Video Courtesy of MrNikonshooter via YouTube


Gov. Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster proclamation for Bremer, Buchanan, Clinton and Johnson counties in response to the severe storms, heavy rains and flash flooding on Friday and Saturday. The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather. The proclamation also makes grants available for qualifying residents of the four counties seeking reimbursement for car or home repairs, clothing or food replacement and temporary housing expenses.

On Thursday, Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for four other counties that were impacted by the same weather event that began on Wednesday (July 19). The previously declared counties were Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette and Winneshiek.

Several homes in the downtown area of Sumner had flooded basements, and foundation walls on at least four of the structures collapsed, authorities said. One of the many businesses that took on water was the Sumner Light Plant. Officials spent the day Saturday working to restore electric and water service to the entire community after utility service was shut off on Friday.


Video Courtesy of MrNikonshooter via YouTube


Flooding was expected to continue on Sunday in southern Fayette and southwestern Clayton counties, where many rivers and streams are running high. The National Weather Service said numerous road closures were reported across the area due to ongoing flooding or damage. In addition, several roads have been washed out.

The Turkey River at Elkader and Garber remains at minor to moderate flood stage, and is forecast to continue to rise through Sunday afternoon. On Saturday, the Wapsipinicon River rose above flood stage at Fairbank and, downstream, the city of Independence was preparing for the possibility of major flooding on Sunday.

In Clayton County, officials continue to keep a close watch on the Volga River, which reached 14 feet at Wadena on Saturday. Downstream, in the city of Volga, a mandatory evacuation was declared for some residents living along the river. In a Facebook post late Saturday evening, emergency management officials said power had been restored in Volga and gave the all-clear for vacated residents to return to their homes.

Clayton County Emergency Management officials said an estimated five-to-seven inches of rain fell in the Volga River watershed late Friday night through early Saturday morning.

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