An aerial look at the Northwest Iowa floods

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) – Much of Northwest Iowa has been cut off due to flood-covered streets and washed-out roads. To survey the extent of the damage, KCAU 9 has provided an aerial viewing of towns from Sioux City to Okoboji.

Governor Reynolds says more than 1900 properties have been damaged and more than 8000 people have been sheltered. Areas along the Ocheyedan River between Highway 60 and Spencer are submerged in water.

Along the Little Sioux River, Spencer’s sewer system has been shut down, with power being off in parts of town. The community has set up shelters on the north end and south end of town.

While lake levels are high in Okoboji, boaters are advised to proceed with the no-wake rule. The Okoboji Community School District is currently taking donations to help those affected by the flooding in Spencer.

The flooding of the Floyd River has covered several towns on the west side of Highway 60. The city of Sheldon has asked its residents to cease water use due to the exceeding flow from the Floyd River.

While people in Sioux County were hit pretty hard on Friday, Plymouth County towns had time to prepare. Le Mars bermed their airway in preparation for the oncoming water, and while the dikes held up, the majority of the taxiway was submerged. Le Mars little league fields are completely engulfed near Highway 3.

Along Highway 75 south, Merrill has water on both sides of the train tracks.

Hinton faced minimal damage after the town built a dike along the bridge of C-60, essentially preventing the water from making it to the west side of town.

As things clear up, communities are working to repair the damage done by this natural disaster.

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