Cherokee, Iowa (NorthwestIowaNow.com) — Recent economic and recovery developments in Cherokee have seen the community slowly rebuild after devestating floods repeatedly including 2024.

City Manager Teresa Pudenz says now $3.8 Million in FEMA money has arrived to begin a vital project, the Beech Street Lift Station.

Pudenz says they are still waiting to finalize wastewater treatment plant funding, which sustained over $40 million in damages in the 2024 floods, along with the Lift Station.

Pudenz is hopeful these issues are handled soon. The city of Cherokee lost 70 homes in the 2024 floods, and since has welcomed two major housing projects to the community to help address the housing issue. The council plans to address that issue at the May 18, 2026 meeting.