Mayor Janet Adams today declared a state of emergency in Webster City.
In her declaration, Adams cited the amount of heavy rain and flooding that had occurred in the past several days in Webster City, causing "severe damage to public and private property, disruption of utility service, and endangerment of health and safety of the citizens of Webster City within the disaster area."
The declaration will allow the city use funds from all available sources, invoke of mutual aid agreements, and the apply to the State of Iowa for assistance.
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Cole Youngdale wades through flood water near a home on Union Street Sunday.
Assistant City Manager Kent Harfst said individuals affected by the flooding and needing assistance, should contact the Red Cross at (877) 576-8448.
Harfst commended the city staff and volunteers who had helped homeowners as the flood waters rose.
"It seemed like we had great help from city staff and volunteers who stepped in to help sandbag homes,"?he said. "Hats off to all who helped." Street department workers kept sandbaggers supplied with loads of sand and bag, he said.
Harfst also thanked local law enforcement keeping a watch on the many flooded areas of the community.
"They made the rounds several times. Sgt. Scot Ely even put on his waders and went door-to-door to check homes,"?Harfst said.
The workers at the wastewater treatment plant also put in some extra hours over the weekend to make sure the plant continued to operate it should.
Fuller Hall opened Sunday night to give those displaced by the flood somewhere to sleep.
"I?know many area residents stayed in local motels. We kept Fuller Hall open the whole time and took phone calls and answered questions,"?she said.
The weather forecast calls for warm sunny weather for the rest of the week. ?
"We'll keep our fingers crossed that the forecast will hold,"?he said.
The Boone River reached 17.94 feet Sunday night at about 10:30 p.m. The river had dropped to 16.84 feet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Flood stage for the Boone River is 12 feet.
Contact Anne Blankenship at editor@freemanjournal.net or 832-4350.