The Missouri River is about to reach historic highs and will potentially flood large portions of the western edge of Southwest Iowa. In the immediate term, SWITA (the Southwest Iowa Transit Agency) is preparing alternate routes for affected communities and businesses, and is on standby by for emergency evacuations should the need arise.

Once the flood recedes, SWIPCO (the Southwest Iowa Planning Council, Region 13) is prepared to assist communities as well. It is anticipated that housing assistance and infrastructure assistance will be available if the floods are a federally declared disaster. Cities and individuals are strongly encouraged to document the time and effort spent combating the flood, and any losses sustained from the disaster.

In 2008, the communities that were best able to document their damages were the ones that received the most recovery funds.

(from the “SWITA Update,” newsletter, June 2011)