ROCK VALLEY, Iowa (Iowa Media Wire) — UPDATE (6/23/2024 @ 6:08 p.m.): The City of Rock Valley has provided more details on what people looking to help out residents need to do.
Monetary donations for flooding victims can be sent by mail or in-person to Peoples Bank (1230 Valley Drive) or Premier Bank (1004 21st Avenue) in Rock Valley. These must be by check and addressed to “FRIENDS OF ROCK VALLEY.” There is not currently an electronic option.
Meanwhile, the Rock Valley Donation Center, which is set up at the Hull Community School, is currently not taking donations of goods any more, as they are at capacity. The City will release an update if more donations are needed, but for now, they are asking people to not bring any more.
Victims who need food or clothing can stop by the school Sunday until 7 p.m.
Volunteers should wait until Monday, June 24 at 9 a.m. to come into town. At that time, there will be a checkpoint for all volunteers to check in at the Cooperative Farmer’s Elevator east parking lot. All incomers looking to help Rock Valley residents, including those helping family and friends, need to check in there.
Volunteers should bring trucks, flatbeds and shovels. Heavy equipment, however, should not be brought.
For the latest updates and information from the city, click here.
UPDATE (6/23/2024 @ 10:50 a.m.): The City of Rock Valley said vehicles that had to be abandoned during the flooding are being towed to the east side of business park.
If you need to collect belongings from your vehicle, you may do so from your vehicle there.
UPDATE (6/23/2024 @ 10:30 a.m.): The City of Rock Valley will begin volunteer efforts on Monday at 9 a.m.
The City said those who wish to volunteer should go to the CFE East Parking Lot at around 9 a.m.
UPDATE (6/23/2024 @ 8:20 a.m.): The City of Rock Valley is partnering with Boyden-Hull Community School to help gather donations for flood victims.
The City said on Facebook that any donations can be taken to the Boyden-Hull High School any time from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.
All donations are welcome, but their most needed items include: diapers, bibs, shoes, and clothing in all adult and youth sizes.
PREVIOUS (Saturday): The City of Rock Valley had good news to share amidst massive flooding they’ve seen.
The city said in a Saturday afternoon social media post that they have evacuated everyone who called for help and that workers and those evacuated are getting fed from donated meals.
The post also states that the city is not currently in need of volunteers as they are holding strong and assessing the situation.
The city also answered some other frequently asked questions, such as that those evacuated can not yet go back to their home to retrieve items. They said water is still flowing rapidly and are waiting until an all-clear is given.
They also added that residents can leave the city and come back as long as they show their identification.
For anyone willing to volunteer or to donate items, the city askes that people pay attention to their social media where they will post updates.
The National Water Prediction Service shows that Rock River at Rock Valley is in major flood stage at 27.27 feet. That is above the record of 22.7 feet. The river’s elevation is forecast to decrease going forward, exiting major flood stage and into moderate flood stage by Monday overnight.
UPDATE 2:00 p.m.: According to the City of Rock Valley, MidAmerican Energy is working to restore power in the city.
PREVIOUS 1:15 p.m.: The City of Rock Valley said that Rural Water is still working to fix the water leak in the town.
For the time being, the town will still be without water.
The City said that three semi-loads of water will be brought to the Park View Event Center at around 3:30 p.m.
Water will be handed out to residents who need it.
Additionally, the City said that residents who are in need of obtaining medication refills should call Hegg Health Center at 712-476-8025, 712-476-8314, or 712-476-8315. Prescriptions will be sent to Lewis Drug in Sioux Center. If you are unable to get to Sioux Center to obtain your prescription, they will help find a way to get them to you.
(PREVIOUS 8:30 a.m.): The City of Rock Valley has added more property to the evacuation area Saturday morning.
Saturday at 4:06 a.m., the city posted on it’s Facebook page that homes in the WestView Drive area were added to the evacuation area and families should prepare to evacuate. The city also decided to evacuate all residence’s north of Highway 18. Those needing shelter can go to Trinity Reformed Church at 2020 8th St SE.
Just before 8 a.m., the city said that they are helping any citizens needing to evacuate. Anyone still needing help can call 712-737-3307. There are dive teams, shift boats and task force team in place. They added that pickups, tractors, trucks or loaders can no longer be used for evacuation due to the water current and height.
The city also said that the Iowa State Patrol set up road blocks outside of Rock Valley to stop any outside vehicles from entering the town while they assess the situation. Anyone needing to pick up family from Rock Valley will have to meet at the roadblocks.
Anyone needing sand bags for personal use can get bags and sand at the Sioux County Shed on 28th Avenue. You’ll need to bring your own shovel.
Members of Sioux City Fire Rescue were deployed to Rock Valley Saturday morning to help.
PREVIOUS (Friday night): Rock Valley has issued emergency evacuation instructions for some Rock Valley residents in response to severe flooding affecting the area.
In a release, Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo provided the following instructions, effective immediately:
- Stay Calm.
- Gather your family, and a neighbor or someone else who needs help.
- Take essential items (diapers, baby food, clothes, money, personal toiletries, medicines, etc.).
- Turn off all appliances (stove, lights, heaters, etc.).
- Lock your house.
- Do not use more cars than necessary.
- Go immediately to the home of a friend or relative outside the evacuation area, or to the shelter located at: Faith Reformed Church, 1305 7th St, Rock Valley, IA 51247.
- If you need transportation, call: 712-737-3307
- Any party that refuses to evacuate during an emergency evacuation will need to sign a refusal agreement.
The mayor asks for the cooperation of all residents for everyone’s safety. The city is giving people time to get out, a city official told Iowa Media Wire 9, but they are looking to have people evacuated as soon as possible.
Below is a map of affected streets and areas. All residents on the streets highlighted in red are being told of the emergency evacuation.