News

Mississippi River towns prepare for disaster duo

Towns along the Mississippi River are preparing for spring flooding amidst the challenges of the coronavirus outbreak.

“These two disasters pose a new and significant threat to those up and down the Mississippi River corridor.”

Brownfield interviewed Bettendorf, Iowa Mayor Bob Gallagher as the first significant spring storm swept over the Quad Cities Thursday. He says with more knowledge and milder flood predictions they are hopeful that this year will not be a repeat of 2019, which brought the highest level of unplanted crop land the area had ever seen.

“However, especially low-lying farms and those along the Mississippi River should continue to brace for impacts.”

Gallagher says COVID-19 precautions like closed businesses and social distancing could pose challenges if flooding causes evacuations, but the good news is the Army Corps of Engineers will be able to assist as usual.

“Even with the travel ban, the White House has given guidance to the Army Corps of Engineers that they can move upon request during the disaster.”

Gallagher says there is no way to insulate farming from the impacts of flooding and COVID-19, but the nation can work together to lessen the damage.

Gallagher is also co-chair of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, a coalition of 95 mayors along the river from Minnesota to Louisiana who work together on common issues.