(Undated)– Extreme flooding is ongoing throughout the region following storms that dumped anywhere from 4 to 10 inches of rain Friday night.
Massive flooding is taking place in south Spencer along Grand Avenue from just south of the Little Sioux River bridge to the South T. KUOO news has learned there have been several breaches in a levy allowing water to inundate that area, completely flooding out businesses and structures. Some residents in that area are fleeing as their homes were starting to take on water as of a little before 9:00 am this (Sat.) morning. Residents on the south side of Spencer who need to evacuate can shelter at Faith Pentacostal Church. Residences on the north side can use the Spencer YMCA. No travel is being allowed into or out of Spencer or within the city. There have also been reports of power outages in Spencer.
In the lakes area, the Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary District reports its system is completely overwhelmed and that untreated waste water is being bypassed into ALL of the lakes. Crews, who have been working around the clock for days, continue to do what they can to try to minimize that. Similar situations are being reported with collection and treatment systems region wide. Residents are highly urged to reduce water usage as much as possible.
The flooding is also beginning to take a toll on infrastructure. Dickinson County Engineer Cole Budach tells KUOO news they’ve been forced to close a bridge on County Road A-43 about a half mile east of County Road M-27. Budach says the abutment was washed out and the bridge is no longer safe. It will remain closed until further notice.
