Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds toured Pacific Junction flooding on Monday, witnessing continued water damage during the rain.
According to Reynolds, ongoing rains are delaying the repair of the four main levee breaches that flooded the community.
Although repair of the levees is ahead of schedule, the rain has delayed a proper assessment of costs.
Reynolds, along with the governors of Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, continues to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to mitigate damage done by continued rains.
“We’re not backing away from what we’re asking for,” Reynolds said.
In Pacific Junction, Reynolds was told that around 55 individuals are looking for housing, but individuals and companies are apprehensive due to the ongoing risk of flooding.
Reynolds said transportation is also a challenge as some roads have needed to be repaired every three to five years because of flooding.
“We need flexibility, we need to do things differently to focus on the people and community and talk about the flow of the river.”
Reynolds said that she is constantly communicating with her team, mayors and community members and that though this is a “long game,” no one is giving up.
“Iowans are resilient, and I see it every day with that perseverance in the community — but they’re tired,” Reynolds said. “They’re not giving up the fight, I haven’t seen any sense of that, but they’re weary.”
Reynolds visited Hamburg later Monday to tour flood and storm damage in that community.
