With a tornado warning being issued in the area late during the evening of July 22 and strong downpours that followed, a path of damage was left in the wake as businesses, buildings and homes suffered storm damage in the Holy Cross/Rickardsville area, while floodwaters swept through New Vienna and Dyersville, July 23. The same storm system also pushed the Maquoketa River beyond capacity, inflicting widespread damage on the Lake Delhi area and ultimately resulting in the a levy adjacent to the dam giving way on July 24.
While Mother Nature inflicted her wrath on the area, the situation brought out the best in some area residents. Our reporters and photographers could attest to this fact, with the countless examples they witnessed of residents helping out each other in their trying times. As floodwaters started to overcome a home in New Vienna, numerous community residents arrived on scene to help limit the property damage; at the town's ball diamond, a nearby business offered to house the coolers from the concession stand as rising water approached.
In Dyersville, the same scene played out as in the cases of previous flood events, where volunteers swarmed the community's fire station to fill sandbags, and later help barricade homes and businesses with sandbags in the hope of limiting property destruction.
The same scenario played out at Lake Delhi, where those who were at the largely resort community, called their neighbors who happened to be away, to provide them with forewarning of the rising lake. In some cases, the warning provided just enough time to reduce property damage.
Of course, the work of the area's emergency services, both volunteers and paid employees, deserves recognition. Rescue personnel were quick to provide warning and take precautions to ensure public safety during this natural disaster. In Dyersville, there was a report of at least one rescue by emergency workers due to rising waters.
However, the recent flooding saw a repeat of the arrival of sightseers. Despite frequent requests to stay away from the scene from emergency workers, nothing brings out onlookers like a natural disaster.
True, it's not every day the area has monumental flooding such as was the case last week. Regardless, many of these onlookers put themselves, as well as rescue personnel, at risk by flocking to the scene. During the recent event, Dyersville Police Chief Martin Botts recounted several examples of residents unnecessarily walking in floodwaters and individuals driving past road barricades.
In addition to the obvious safety risks of unnecessarily walking or driving on uneven ground that is overcome by fast moving water, it is puzzling that individuals would desire to put themselves in a health risk by treading through debris-infested, unsanitary water.
Area communities were once again filled with highlights, despite the tragedy of the natural disasters. By now, perhaps, we've come to expect this. In the future, let's stick with the tales of neighbors helping neighbors, while doing away with stories of individuals disregarding their own personal safety, as well as the safety of others.
-The "Our Opinion" column is the consensus of the editorial board. For information or comments, contact a member of the board: Josh Jorgenson, Mary Ungs-Sogaard, Beth Lutgen or Barb Hansel.