Heavy rain and flooding cause Iowa bridge to collapse into river – Washington Examiner
A railroad bridge in North Sioux City, Iowa, collapsed into the Big Sioux River late Sunday night due to pressure from floodwaters following severe weather and heavy rains. This collapse occurred amid ongoing storms causing widespread flooding across Iowa, prompting evacuations. In response to the crisis, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster emergency proclamation, extending it to include 21 counties. Governor Reynolds has requested expedited federal assistance to cope with the disaster, seeking a Presidential Disaster Declaration to facilitate support and emergency measures for the affected regions.
A railroad bridge in North Sioux City, Iowa, collapsed into the Big Sioux River on Sunday night. The bridge gave way to pressure from flood waters after heavy rain and flooding.
According to reports, the bridge, which connected Riverside and North Sioux City, collapsed around 11 p.m. local time. The area has been battered with storms in recent days, which have caused significant flooding throughout Iowa. Flooding waters from the recent storms have caused people to evacuate their homes in various parts of Iowa.
Gov. Kim Reynolds extended a disaster emergency proclamation last Friday for the state due to the damage from severe flooding. The emergency was expanded to include 21 of Iowa’s counties.
“I have issued a Disaster Proclamation for Sioux County and directed all available state resources to assist Rock Valley and other communities in northwest Iowa in response to catastrophic flooding,” Reynolds posted on the social media platform X.
I have issued a Disaster Proclamation for Sioux County and directed all available state resources to assist Rock Valley and other communities in northwest Iowa in response to catastrophic flooding.
— Gov. Kim Reynolds (@IAGovernor) June 22, 2024
Early Sunday morning, well before the bridge collapsed, Reynolds requested an “expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration for Iowa counties where significant damage was sustained from severe storms and widespread flooding” due to the recent storms in the state. She also wrote a letter to President Joe Biden requesting support and for him to declare a state of emergency in the Hawkeye State.
Flying over flood ravaged NW IA with members of my cabinet from Natl Guard, DPS, DOT, DNR and HHS. Rivers cresting above 1993 record levels and the devastation is widespread. I’m committing the full resources of the state & coordinating with fed. agencies to help Iowans recover. pic.twitter.com/RSAp4cTleb
— Gov. Kim Reynolds (@IAGovernor) June 22, 2024
“Downpours of rain preceded several supercell storms that produced exorbitant amounts of rain,” Reynolds wrote in the request. “These cells moved across western and central Iowa early in the afternoon, and throughout the evening of Saturday, June 22, 2024. Preliminary impact reports indicated widespread damage, large amounts of debris, and record flooding across the state. Consequently, I would respectfully request that you declare a major disaster for the State of Iowa.”
The storms and devastating conditions caused havoc throughout the state all weekend. First responders made 250 water rescues on Saturday because of the heavy rain and flooding, according to various reports.
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The devastating storms had caused significant damage throughout the state. According to reports, more than 1,000 people had to flee their homes and go to shelters. Hundreds of properties were destroyed, and over 1,900 were damaged.
There were not any reported victims in Sunday’s bridge collapse.
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