There wasn’t much of a warning that water from the Missouri River would spill over into several communities in Southwest Iowa, said Mike Crecelius, Fremont County Emergency Management Coordinator.

That was in mid-March.

Today, flood waters have yet to recede in many parts of Fremont County including Hamburg, Percival, Bartlett and McPaul.

Crecelius has held his position for more than ten years. He says he’s never seen flooding this bad.

“In 2011, the Army Corps of Engineers came down 30 to 40 days prior to warn us,” Crecelius said in comparing the two years of flooding. “This time, about a week before things went south, we basically were told there could be a problem.”

Crecelius said 455 houses were impacted by the flooding from the Mills County line to the Missouri State line including two-thirds of Hamburg.

The American Red Cross has been in Fremont County since flooding began helping residents affected with sheltering those displaced, providing hot meals, distributing emergency supplies, offering case work and guiding clients as they begin to recover and make plans for their future.

“I appreciate assistance from the Red Cross and volunteers that have come into my office to help,” said Crecelius. “God love all of you. I appreciate the assistance from each and every one of you.”

Crecelius predicts the county will be fighting flooding until possibly Winter.

“I’m just being realistic,” he says.

The Red Cross was an active community partner prior to the flood and will remain an active partner during and after the long-term recovery of Fremont County. Red Cross services are still available to individuals affected by the flood to meet their emergency needs. Individuals seeking assistance may contact the Red Cross at (281) 413-4009.