The new flooding forecast is 2.5 feet higher than originally predicted Saturday, and with rain in the forecast on Thursday and Friday, emergency management officials say residents should be prepared.

“Anyone living in one of the areas of concern needs to be on high alert and should be actively making plans to evacuate or risk being stranded for potentially several days until the water recedes and it’s safe to leave,” said Webster County Emergency Management Director Dylan Hagen. “The roads listed will likely need to be closed or partially closed should flooding occur.”

Hagen, along with first response staff, have cited nearly 20 areas of concern throughout the county and are asking residents who live in those areas to proactively begin preparing for flood waters and to potentially evacuate their homes.

The areas include Riverside Drive near Humboldt County, Breen Addition, Madison Avenue near 170th Street, Riverdale Drive, Scenic Drive, 1st Street NW in Fort Dodge, Phinney Park in Fort Dodge, East Riverside Drive in Fort Dodge, Avenue B in Fort Dodge, South River Road, Riverside Trail, Dolliver Park, River Street in Lehigh, East Main Street in Lehigh, Pleasant Street in Lehigh, Maguire Bend Road, Xavier Avenue, and River Road.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Alex Gollob, 8, of Moorland, uses his hands Saturday afternoon to help fill sandbags in Lehigh.

“Those living in these areas are urged to act now to make alternate plans now as the forecasted levels are dangerously high,” said Hagen.

Multiple roads have already been closed in anticipation of flooding, including Riverside Drive near Humboldt County, South River Road, Maguire Bend Road, and Xavier Avenue. Additional road closures are expected. Residents along Avenue B (South River Road) near the wastewater plant were asked on Sunday to access their properties through the south gate of the plant due to expected flooding.

“Roads are being closed for safety reasons,” said Amanda Holmes, communications manager for the City of Fort Dodge. “It’s important that people do not go around the barricades.”

Emergency management is also stressing that residents stay away from the Des Moines River, Lizard Creek, and Soldier Creek, noting that on Sunday, there were kayakers and children playing in the waters.

“We cannot stress it enough — folks need to stay away from the river and creeks during the duration of this flooding event,” added Hagen. “We are working to barricade all waterway access points, but we need to make sure people are keeping themselves safe by not going near these areas. This includes the entire county, not just Fort Dodge.”

“It is extremely dangerous right now,” added Webster County Board of Supervisor Niki Conrad. “We need people to stay away from the water. We need to use our resources for preparation right now.”

Three sandbagging sites have been set up throughout Webster County including at the Lehigh Community Center, the Otho Community Center, and at Willow Ridge Golf Course.

According to Conrad, the county is providing the sand and the bags and are asking for able-bodied volunteers to bring gloves and shovels to help with the effort. The sand bags are available to anyone in need. Elderly residents or those who are disabled and may not be able to lift the bags are asked to contact Hagen at 515-573-1403.

Conrad stated that at this time, they do not anticipate infrastructure to be affected, but are meeting regularly with engineers to plan for the possibility.

The City of Fort Dodge is also actively working with state, county, and local officials to prepare for the incoming floodwaters. Officials will be meeting Monday morning and will continue to provide updates on social media as well as to The Messenger.

A social media rumor on Sunday questioned the safety of the Fort Dodge water supply, but Holmes stated that “we do not expect that Fort Dodge’s water supply will be impacted. We are actively meeting with engineers and staff, and if this changes, we will communicate it with the public.”

HUMBOLDT

In Humboldt, residents began sandbagging on Saturday for anticipated flooding and a crest of 17 feet, which would also be at a historical level. The west fork of the Des Moines River is expected to crest on Wednesday at 1 p.m. This will impact Bradgate, Dakota City, Humboldt, and Rutland.

Sandbags are available at the Humboldt County Secondary Roads facility at 2221 220th St., Highway 3, in Humboldt. Volunteers are needed to help sandbag around the Humboldt County Historical Association as they are concerned about the east fork of the river reaching the historic church.

Roads in and around the area have also been closed including 180th Street south of Bradgate to Colorado, 190th Street from Elm to Florida, Mondana Street from 100th Street to Michigan, 110th from Oak to Ohio Street, 120th Street East of Highway 169, Xenia from 100th south to 130th, Xenia from 130th south to 140th, P30 north of 110th, River Road, K Avenue from Q Avenue to Port Avenue. Dakota City has also closed the campground and Sheldon Park Campground’s lower section.