By DOUG SCHMITZ

Iowa Correspondent

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — As historic floodwaters from winter snow and spring rains that engulfed entire towns and farmland begin to recede in the Midwest, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted widespread flooding to continue through May.

“The extensive flooding we’ve seen in the past two weeks (before March 21) will continue through May, and become more dire and may be exacerbated in the coming weeks as the water flows downstream,” said Ed Clark, director of NOAA’s National Water Center in Tuscaloosa.

According to NOAA, nearly two-thirds of the continental 48 states face an elevated risk for flooding through May, with the potential for major or moderate flooding in 25. The majority of the country is favored to experience above-average precipitation this spring, increasing flood risk.

Portions of the United States – especially in the upper Mississippi and Missouri rivers basins including Nebraska, Minnesota, and Iowa – have already experienced record flooding this year.

“This early flooding was caused by rapid snow melt combined with heavy spring rain and late season snowfall in areas where soil moisture is high,” NOAA stated March 21. “In some areas, ice jams are exacerbating the flooding.”

Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation in 41 of Iowa’s 99 counties in response to flooding and flash flooding, beginning March 13 and continuing. Her proclamation allows state resources to be used to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather, and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for qualifying residents, along with the Disaster Case Management Program, for five counties – so far.

On March 21, President Trump declared nine Nebraska counties major disaster areas and ordered federal aid to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe winter storms, straight-line winds, and flooding, beginning on March 9 and continuing.

NOAA said record winter precipitation across a large swath of the country has set the stage for the elevated flood risk. The upper Mississippi and Red River of the North basins have received rain and snow this spring up to 200 percent above normal volume.

The areas of greatest risk for moderate to major flooding include the upper, middle, and lower Mississippi River basins, including the mainstem Mississippi, Red River of the North, the Great Lakes, eastern Missouri River, lower Ohio, lower Cumberland, and Tennessee rivers’ basins.

“This is shaping up to be a potentially unprecedented flood season, with more than 200 million people at risk for flooding in their communities,” Clark said.

NOAA stated additional spring rain and melting snow will prolong and expand flooding, especially in the central and southern United States. As this excess water flows downstream through river basins, the flood threat will become worse and geographically more widespread.

“This outlook will help emergency managers and community decision-makers all along the nation’s major waterways prepare people and businesses for the flood threat,” said Neil Jacobs, NOAA’s acting administrator.

Help is available

On March 21, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue directed his staff to aid people in their recovery efforts. On March 26, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig said Trump granting Reynolds’ request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration makes additional funding available to help Iowans recover from flooding in the Missouri River basin.

He said initial damages to Iowa’s ag industry are estimated at $214 million. “I appreciate President Trump expediting our state’s request for emergency relief assistance,” he said. “This is welcome news to many Iowans who are going through an extremely difficult time.

Naig said he, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey will also be meeting with producers to ensure they are aware of the state and federal resources available to help them with recovery efforts. “The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) will continue working closely with the governor’s office, other state agencies, the USDA, and our state’s elected officials to coordinate relief efforts.”

As the Central and Southern plains of the United States continue to experience extreme weather and flooding, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine reminded livestock producers who may be mixing, storing, or distributing grain about information resources available.

“While there are few, if any, crops growing right now, previously harvested crops or siloed feed materials could become contaminated and no longer suitable for feeding. Floodwaters, which are different from pooled rain water, may contain sewage, pathogenic organisms, pesticides, chemical wastes, or other toxic substances,” the FDA stated.

It added previously harvested crops that may be deemed unsuitable for human food use sometimes can be salvaged for animal feed. “The FDA will work with producers to consider requests to recondition an adulterated crop into animal food on a case-by-case basis.”

Randy Watts, IDALS Commercial Feed & Fertilizer Bureau chief, said farmers affected by the recent floods in Iowa should be aware that ruined grain and hay must be disposed of properly to avoid combustion.

“Floodwaters have soaked grain bins on farms or at commercial elevators,” he pointed out. “With only a few exceptions, flood-soaked grain is not usable for feed or food. To be considered for use in animal feed, these products must be tested, and a diversion plan must be submitted.”

According to an Allendale, Inc. March 25 report: “Massive flooding in the Midwest has knocked out roughly 13 percent of U.S. ethanol production capacity, as plants in Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota have been forced to shut down or scale back production following the devastation,” while “planting concerns remain high.”

Perdue encouraged area farmers and ranchers to contact their local USDA Service Center to help identify the resources and tools needed to reestablish their operations: “We will do everything in our power at the USDA to be as helpful as we possibly can.”

For more information on disaster assistance programs, find your local Service Center at offices.usda.gov