In a Small Iowa Town, a Solution to a National Crisis
20 claims analyzed
Claims20
Iowa Flood Center leaders' cell phone numbers are listed online for anytime contact.
Riverdale, Iowa has about 550 residents.
The Trump administration offered deferred resignation to tens of thousands of federal employees in 2025.
The Iowa Flood Center was not a 24/7 operation during the Friday-night flood response.
Iowa is the only U.S. state with a flood-monitoring system like the Iowa Flood Center's.
Climate change is increasing the number of floods.
The Iowa Flood Center's stream gauges cost about $7,500.
President Trump is cutting government programs that help communities deal with floods.
Federal flood-mapping mandates did not require maps for small tributaries or streams.
In 2025, President Trump rescinded federal support for climate-related flood preparedness.
The federal government operated a Duck Creek gauge near Riverdale, Iowa that posted creek-height data online.
Congress mandated federal flood maps for major rivers and coasts in the 1960s.
FEMA flood models do not account for intense rain bursts that lead to flash flooding.
Climate change will make flash flooding a much bigger problem.
Deadly flash floods in Central Texas hit Camp Mystic.
Riverdale, Iowa sits at the confluence of the Mississippi River and Duck Creek.
Trump's deferred resignation program let federal employees stop working while receiving pay for several months.
Iowa Flood Center gauges post water-height data online with predictive models.
Iowa Flood Center gauges connect to an online flood-mapping system used by local officials.
Severe flooding in 2008 prompted Iowa to invest in its flood-monitoring system.