U.S. Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Aaron Jacobson, a 185th Air Refueling Wing Civil Engineering Squadron Pavements and Construction Equipment specialist, picks up debris using a skid steer loader in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, June 29, 2024. Airmen of the 185th ARW and 132nd Wing were tasked by Iowa National Guard state headquarters to assist in debris cleanup in the wake of historic flooding in Northwest Iowa. (Tylon Chapman/U.S. Air National Guard)
The Iowa National Guard assisted flood victims with cleanup efforts after severe weather ravaged the state last week, according to a service release.
30 guardsmen from Sioux City’s 185th Air Refueling Wing and Des Moines’ 132nd Wing were dispatched to assist residents by clearing communities of debris.
“It’s extremely sad seeing all these peoples’ homes and valuables just destroyed, but helping clean up is all we can do,” said Staff Sgt. Seth Stamm.
The Guard deployed dump trucks, skid steer loaders and chain saws to clear the debris. They have debris removal teams trained for situations such as this.
The Guardsmen are expected to continue their cleanup efforts throughout the week.
Land from eastern Nebraska and South Dakota to Iowa and Minnesota were under siege from flooding after torrential rains last week, while also being hit with a scorching heat wave, according to the Associated Press. Up to 18 inches of rain fell in some areas, and some rivers rose to record levels. Hundreds of people were rescued.
U.S. Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Seth Stamm dumps debris on a dump truck in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, June 30, 2024. Airmen were tasked by Iowa National Guard state headquarters to assist in debris cleanup in the wake of historic flooding in the state. (Tylon Chapman/U.S. Air National Guard)
U.S. Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. David Twohig operates a skid steer loader to clear debris in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, June 30, 2024. (Tylon Chapman/U.S. Air National Guard)
U.S. Air National Guard Staff. Sgt. Derrick Colye dumps debris in a dump truck in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, June 30, 2024. (Tylon Chapman/U.S. Air National Guard)
U.S. Air National Guard Staff. Sgt. Derrick Colyer dumps debris in a dump truck in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, June 30, 2024. (Tylon Chapman/U.S. Air National Guard)
