Mother Nature's Fury on Northwest Iowa
Waters rising.
Communities packing up whatever belongings they can grab. Looks of fear and anxiety leaving their towns seeing the impending waterways that could put their house under water.
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Northwest Iowa is drowning and I feel like I’m not doing enough.
The last week has been a whirlwind for anyone who lives near any body of water. My heart breaks with every report that comes out, or new picture capturing the devastation. I met a 94-year-old woman who prayed she could get back in her house on McCook Lake afraid of having to start over. How do you respond to this?
It’s been several days of flooding in Northwest Iowa. From Sioux Rapids, Rock Valley, Akron, down to North Sioux City, McCook Lake and now smaller communities onthe south sides of these rivers are seeing the impact like Smithland, Rodney, Onawa and the list goes on. How can I help? People are helping pack up items in homes but after that what can be done? The water moves faster than plans can be made. It brings tears to my eyes thinking about how people whose homes are impacted are trying to pick up the pieces, wait for answers on how to start over. Driving from town to town trying to gather video of the waters, gathering information from officials hoping that residents in that town see or hear the news, seeing the water take over homes, washing out roadways. All something I thought I’d never see. I moved here in 2019 right at the tail end of the major flooding of the Missouri River along Sioux City. I was told by a man looking at river overtaking Highway 141 wondering how he could get to his house and family on the other side of the Little Sioux River. A look I never thought a grown man would give. Sad, depressed, frustration.
It reminds me of Noah’s Ark.
Noah listened to God’s crazy command to build a boat, and load up his family. Looking back I’m sure he’s glad he did, but what did everyone else think of him? Did they help him? I am in constant prayer for each community in Siouxland I have been in during the flooding, in hopes that covering these residents with constant prayer will cover them with the Lord’s grace, just as the Lord took care of Noah.
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” - Isaiah 43:2
This is a time when support is needed now more than ever.
Stay strong, Northwest Iowa.
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