Two years after the 2024 flooding event by the Little Sioux River, the city manager of Spencer remains proactive.
Kevin Robinson, city manager of Spencer, told Siouxland Public Media that the 2024 flood influenced how the city monitors and prepares for floods.
Robinson said factors the city watches include water elevation, soil saturation, rainfall rates, and forecasts.
He added the city works with the National Weather Service, Iowa Flood Center, and local departments to observe weather patterns and implement flood protocols.
Robinson mentioned the city has enacted an official action plan and contingencies for multiple scenarios. There are three different flood response plans tied to forecasted river elevations that trigger different level warnings.
Additionally, the city now watches water elevations all the way up to the Minnesota and Iowa border. It continues to work with FEMA and USDA on mitigation measures and grants.
Robinson encouraged citizens to have multiple resources monitoring weather and reminded them the city has an app that shows live gauge levels.
The Little Sioux River historically has flooded the towns of Spencer, Linn Grove, Cherokee, and Correctionville.
