On this episode of River to River, IPR's Western Iowa reporter Sheila Brummer gives an update on the catastrophic flooding in Northwest Iowa that has forced hundreds of people to evacuate. Then, Wiltold Krajewski, director of Iowa's Flood Center, joins the program to share how the Iowa Flood Information System helps detect potential flooding and gives communities time to prepare.

The Iowa Flood Center (IFC) provides an all-in-one resource for all Iowans to be able to see flooding data – without needing to be a meteorologist. The IFC was founded after the 2008 floods in eastern Iowa to provide more on-the-ground information for local leaders and citizens. The Iowa Flooding Informational System website collects flooding forecasts, community assistance resources, and more, all in one location that’s user-friendly.

As the Midwest begins to recover, many won’t have flood insurance, which must be purchased separately from homeowners insurance. Federal data shows that across the flooded states of Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota, the government has only issued about 26,500 flood insurance policies combined.

As communities in northwest Iowa experience record flooding and others prepare for cresting river levels in the coming days, the Iowa Flood Center (IFC) has tools available to help understand and reduce flood risks. Learn about key resources available through the Iowa Flood Information System.

The Hancher-Finkbine Medallions represent leadership, learning, and loyalty, and were presented to students Vera Barkosky, Mitch Winterlin, Ben Linden, and Riley Post; faculty member Miriam Landsman; staff member Rick Nicely; and alumnus Andrew Code.

This month, the American Flood Coalition traveled to Iowa to connect with local leaders and find ways to address flood challenges and build resilience. AFC visited communities in its Iowa Flood Resilient Communities Cohort, a group of four municipalities working with AFC to navigate the federal funding landscape and advance community-driven flood projects

The Iowa Flood Center's Iowa Flood Information System online web application provides real-time information about stream levels, flood alerts and forecasts, and hydrologic conditions to keep Iowans safe and informed.

The World Bank recently announced it will offer free flood risk data to 16 developing countries — a step partly made possible by lessons learned from a 2008 flood in Iowa.

Columbus Junction was one of four Iowa communities selected last December to be a member of the Iowa Flood Resilient Communities Cohort; and during the city council’s regular meeting on Wednesday, a team of experts met with city officials to explain the cohort and its purpose.

The Iowa Flood Center received $1 million to expand flood and drought monitoring, watershed management, and forecasting services in Eastern Iowa through Congress’s Community Project Funding.