Spencer, IA (KICD) — Seven days after the flood of 2024 hit Spencer individuals, volunteers, and city crews are doing their best, but Assistant City Manager Kevin Robinson says the disaster is so large, state and federal help are critical.

Saturday morning D.O.T. crews arrived to start collecting debris.

Former Mayor Robinson was just appointed Deputy Assistant City Manager two days ago and has already worked out a waiver program for homeowners willing to risk having their power restored without an electrical inspection.

 

The American Red Cross is in town and after the Grand Avenue bridge opened Thursday, relinking the two ends of Spencer, they combined the emergency shelter into one location at the fairgrounds.

Mayor Bomgaars says there are still individuals with nowhere to go.

The Clay County Housing Task Force is trying to find alternative housing for those displaced individuals, including temporary housing in other communities.

Apart from the physical toll the flood has made on property and weary bodies, Robinson says the impact on mental health is apparent, and the city is requesting additional resources.

Bomgaars has been managing operations from the start with little sleep and no regards for his own damaged house. He says the past seven days have been a blur, but one that has brought out the best in many.

The emergency response team remains in place and will continue to give daily updates at 10:30am on all of our Spencer Radio Group stations – KICD, More 104.9, and Big Country 1077 – for the foreseeable future, including Sunday.