New Report Says Climate Change Will Bring More Flooding To Iowa

(Des Moines)– An updated guide from the National Wildlife Federation says Iowa remains vulnerable to flooding brought on by climate change. 

The “Unnatural Disasters” map shows how the threats can harm local economies and wildlife. The Federation released its first map in 2018. Joe Wilkinson, who heads the Iowa Wildlife Federation, says the new findings illustrate the harmful effects of disasters the state witnessed over the past year. He says with flooding, the damage can range very widely…Wilkinson 

“Whether it’s just something from a flooded field that will affect nesting birds, game birds, pheasants, other songbirds. Or whether it’s the months-long inundation of lowlands, and even towns and main streets.”

The map says in 2019, flooding from the Missouri River cost Iowa $1.6 billion. Flooding from the Mississippi River resulted in $1 million in damage. It also says for the Midwest, heavy precipitation events bring 42 percent more rain to the region compared to 50 years ago. 

The report comes as experts warn the window is closing to prevent the most extreme impacts of climate change.

(Courtesy Iowa News Service)