Responding to Major Flooding in Iowa

World Renew Disaster Response Services is organizing a response to severe flooding in northwestern Iowa that began on Saturday, June 22. Heavy rainfall led to evacuations of several towns including Rock Valley, Spencer, and Hawarden. 

World Renew DRS will offer volunteer clean-up services including mold remediation and debris removal while planning for long-term recovery in Iowa. 

"We are dismayed to see the pictures of widespread damage. At the same time, we know the resilience of the people affected. World Renew DRS is now building on longstanding relationships to plan for a collaborative response,” said Bob Laarman, director of Disaster Response Services at World Renew. 

Beginning on Friday, June 21, extreme rainfall in northwestern Iowa led to record-setting water levels in rivers, prompting levee breaks and flooding. Hundreds of water rescues took place over the weekend, and about 1,000 people are now staying in shelters after being displaced from their homes. Currently around 2,000 properties in Iowa are damaged by the flooding. The federal and state governments have approved a disaster declaration for more than 20 counties.

Heavy rain and flooding over the weekend also affected areas of southern Minnesota and South Dakota. 

World Renew DRS previously worked in northwestern Iowa after a 2014 flood, sending 40 one-week volunteer teams to work alongside local, one-day volunteers. 

With over 50 years of experience, World Renew DRS provides communities that have experienced disasters with long-term recovery work that may be requested over the next three years or longer. The organization specializes in assisting homeowners in disaster areas with roof repair and tarping, tree removal, needs assessments, cost estimation, and home reconstruction and rebuilding. 

World Renew DRS is also continuing its work in areas previously affected by severe storms and tornadoes this spring and early this summer.

People in the U.S. who wish to contribute financially to relief efforts for the Iowa flooding can give online at worldrenew.net/springstorms2024-donate; by phone at 1-800-552-7972; or by mailing a check payable to World Renew DRS, with “Spring Storms 2024” in the memo line, to World Renew, 8970 Byron Commerce Drive SW, Byron Center, MI 49315. Canadians, please visit worldrenew.ca for information on how you can donate.