ROCK VALLEY, IA (KELO) — Some homes and businesses in Siouxland will continue clean-up efforts after last weekend’s historic flood.
It’s a critical time for anyone affected by flooding.
“Any house that’s had flood water in it, it’s got to be clean. Do not wait. It’s an immediate need, and the best time to do it is when the community is all around us from even out of state,” Rock Valley city administrator Tom Van Maanen said.
As you’re cleaning, there’s a few things you should prioritize.
“The the big issue is the mold, and we’ve got the product here to treat the mold, make sure you do that and do it soon. That’s a big thing. If you get cut, make sure you get into the hospital for a tetanus shot. We need to get everything out to the the road so that our cleanup crews can pick it up so they see it. Don’t wait. Get it done in and out there so that our volunteers that are coming around can get it out to our dump site and we can get it out to the landfills,” Rock Valley Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo said.
But for some residents like Cara Suter, their situation is unique.
“Our cleanup is different than most because we’re not cleaning,” Suter said.
Because it is not safe to be in their home.
“We’ve been displaced since last week Sunday, and during cleanup, we discovered that our basement was missing our north wall and a wall in the middle. Then, our our plans of saving our home changed to recovering the things that were in it,” Suter said.
It’s going to be a long road ahead, but Rock Valley is ready for the challenge.
“Our new normal has to be a better normal than before, and it’s trending that way,” Van Maanen said.
The city of Rock Valley has a disinfectant available to help clean up the mold in their volunteer tent across from the police station.