Pottawattamie County outlines response and recovery status for several weather events
Posted by: Public Relations
Pottawattamie County, Iowa – In one of the most unprecedented stretches in modern-day Pottawattamie County history, local, state, and federal agencies are currently navigating assistance for five separate severe weather events that occurred in the county. Of the five events, three received a Governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency and one received a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration.
Response efforts continue for the flooding of the Missouri River and the severe weather experienced last night. Meanwhile, recovery efforts continue for tornado events on April 26th, May 6th, and May 20th through May 24th. Below is a general status update for those events.
Severe Weather Event | June 25, 2024
Last night’s severe weather produced (15) separate Severe Thunderstorm Warnings for Pottawattamie County. Heavy rain, hail, and winds up to 90mph created widespread damage of varying degrees. Several roadways were closed due to tree debris, and thousands of county residents were without power for some duration. As of 4:00 p.m. on June 26th, more than 1,800 Mid-American Energy customers in Pottawattamie County remained without power.
Preferred methods for tree and vegetative debris disposal may vary by community. In Council Bluffs, public works crews will pick up and haul curbside storm-related tree debris on Friday, June 28th, Monday, July 1st, and Tuesday, July 2nd. Crews are not able to go onto private property for debris and are not able to accept individual requests for debris removal. Crews will make one pass through neighborhoods, and after that, residents will be responsible for removing debris. Dates are subject to change.
Residents should stay engaged with their local city government and utility providers for the latest local- specific information and should report any storm-related damages from this event on the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency website, pcema-ia.org.
Missouri River Flood Event | Ongoing
This ongoing event has received a Governor’s Proclamation for Disaster Emergency. The National Weather Service has indicated the severe weather from last night will have minimal impact on projected levels of the Missouri River. With local drainage gates closed, specifically in Council Bluffs, the impact of any additional rainfall may be seen within city streets.
Currently, the Missouri River level is at 30.8 feet with a projected crest on Friday, June 28th around 1:00 p.m. at 34.9 feet. Officials anticipate the river will quickly recede, decreasing to Minor Flood Level on Monday, July 1st, and back below flood stage on Tuesday, July 2nd.
Voluntary evacuations were announced for two areas in Pottawattamie County and Council Bluffs on Monday. There have been no communicated needs for emergency shelter.
Several area state and local parks have been temporarily closed, as have several roadways. Roadway closures include I-29 from 25th Street at the north edge of Council Bluffs to the I-29/880 interchange near Loveland. Additionally, the portion of I-680 west of I-29 located in Iowa is closed.
Ongoing flood information, a link for property owners to report storm-related damage, and links to the latest road closures can be accessed on the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency website, pcema-ia.org.
Tornado Events | April 26, 2024, May 6, 2024, and May 20-24, 2024
The April 26th event received a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, while events from May received Governor’s Proclamations of Disaster Emergency. Governor Kim Reynolds visited Minden on June 26, 2024, to discuss resources for long-term recovery available to all county residents impacted by these events, The meeting included officials from the State of Iowa, Iowa Department of Homeland Security, City of Minden, Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, and Pottawattamie County Emergency Management. In the coming days, officials plan on announcing the implementation of an Ongoing Community Needs Assessment where those impacted can identify any gaps in their ongoing and long-term disaster assistance needs. This effort will help organize and/or develop supplemental assistance programs to help disaster survivors in their recovery efforts.
