Responding to Iowa Floods
Just weeks after floods hit northwestern Iowa in 2024, World Renew Disaster Response Services (DRS) volunteers traveled to Hawarden, Iowa, to provide clean-up services in the community. In Hawarden, the Big Sioux River had crested at a record-breaking 39 feet, flooding many nearby homes—including Mike’s. (To protect homeowners’ privacy, only first names are used in this news story.)
When Mike noticed World Renew volunteers working nearby to help his neighbors, he approached to ask for advice on treating mold damage that resulted from the flooding to his home. As the conversation unfolded, Mike shared with the volunteers about several issues he was facing. After the recent loss of a family member, employment changes, and now the flood, he said, he was incredibly weary. Mike credited God for helping him through these times, but navigating these challenges was a struggle, he said.
As the volunteers spent time with him carrying water-logged items from his basement, Mike’s spirits began to lift. The volunteers were also able to pray with Mike for his recovery plans and for God’s plans for his future.
Providing Hope through Local Recovery Groups
In February 2025, eight months after the floods, World Renew conducted an unmet needs assessment in nearby Spencer, Iowa. Volunteers surveyed clients and collected their recovery data to provide the Clay County Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG) with information about the ongoing, unmet needs of their community. This process helps to provide holistic data on financial, material, and repair needs; a priority list for case workers; the case for external funding; and more.
Maribel was one of the survivors surveyed during this assessment, recounting her story and sharing about her needs after the floods. When the Little Sioux River’s floodwaters rose in their housing area, Maribel and her partner awoke to water entering their basement apartment through its windows and walls. To their shock, within 15 minutes, the water was chest deep. Their furniture and belongings were under water, and some appliances were floating. As they tried to collect their belongings to salvage what they could, they quickly realized they needed to retreat to safety. The family lost everything but their car due to the flooding.
Six months later, Maribel and her family still had not received much flood-recovery assistance. While this was difficult for them to bear, World Renew volunteers were able to pray with Maribel, encouraging her and asking God to provide strength for her family. Her family and 133 other households learned that after being surveyed at this unmet needs assessment, they would be included in the Clay County LTRG’s case load for rebuilding and other recovery needs.
“This Help Has Been Monumental”
Rich, Jenny, and their family faced severe losses in neighboring Rock Valley, Iowa. Their home, family business, and car were damaged by flooding from the Rock River due to record-breaking rainfall. With their third child on the way, losing nearly everything and being displaced to live in a FEMA trailer left Rich and Jenny in despair.
When the Sioux and Lyon County Long-Term Recovery Group was established, Rich and Jenny were among the many families to receive repair assistance. Multiple groups from this LTRG came to work alongside Rich and Jenny on their home repairs, including a DRS volunteer group that came for a week. The volunteers installed siding and trim, laid new flooring, and painted the home’s already-repaired walls.
Throughout the week, neighbors stopped by to comment on the home’s progress. Rich and Jenny were relieved to be near the end of their recovery journey. “The repairs done . . . would have taken me weeks to complete by myself,” Rich remarked.
Their time together with the World Renew volunteers concluded with a prayer of blessing as tears were shed and many hugs were exchanged. “This help has been monumental,” the couple shared. “Thank you.”
