Spencer, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — Approximately one hundred and fifty residents of Spencer attended Tuesday night’s flood “debriefing” hosted by the city. This time representatives from the National Weather Service and Iowa Flood Center attended to talk about the unexpected magnitude of the flood.
Sioux Falls Forecaster Todd Heitkamp said heavy rain was predicted, but a second, prolonged period of rain struck Northern Clay County in the Ocheyden River Basin.
Iowa Flood Center Director Larry Weber gave an overview of a comprehensive flood predication system he’d like to install in Northwest Iowa, and warned that the weather is becoming more volatile, and floods in the midwest more common.
Mayor Steve Bomgaars said the most frequent question he gets – one asked again last night – is why residents weren’t given better warning.
The city of Spencer is currently working with a company to develop an app where they could send out warnings in the future.