Drone video captures dramatic look at catastrophic flooding in Iowa
The flooding in the Midwest and northern Plains is being blamed for at least one death reported in South Dakota, but details on the death have not been released.
Watch: Drone video shows Floyd River flooding in Iowa
O’Brien County Emergency Management officials shared drone video showing the Floyd River in Sheldon, Iowa, overflowing its banks and flooding the community.
SHELDON, Iowa – Parts of the Midwest continue to experience catastrophic and deadly flooding after days of torrential rain caused rivers and streams to overflow their banks, and dramatic drone video recorded in Iowa is giving us a bird’s-eye view at the scope of the devastation.
The video, which was shared with FOX Weather by O’Brien County Emergency Management officials, shows the Floyd River overflowing into the community of Sheldon to the southeast of Sioux Falls in South Dakota.
Watch: Drone video shows cars driving over Iowa bridge as flooding occurs below
O’Brien County Emergency Management officials shared drone video that shows cars driving over a bridge as water from an overflowing Floyd River in Sheldon, Iowa, continues.
One of the videos shared shows vehicles driving over the bridge as the rushing water flows just below the bottom of the bridge.
While the water can be seen creeping closer to farms and homes along the riverbank, the high water can also be seen getting close to the Highway 18 bridge just west of the town.
![This photo shows trees flooded after the Floyd River in Sheldon, Iowa, overflowed its banks.]()
Image 1 of 7This photo shows trees flooded after the Floyd River in Sheldon, Iowa, overflowed its banks. (O’Brien County Emergency Management)
![The Floyd River in Sheldon, Iowa, is seen overflowing its banks.]()
Image 2 of 7The Floyd River in Sheldon, Iowa, is seen overflowing its banks. (O’Brien County Emergency Management)
![The Floyd River in Sheldon, Iowa, is seen overflowing its banks.]()
Image 3 of 7The Floyd River in Sheldon, Iowa, is seen overflowing its banks. (O’Brien County Emergency Management)
![The Floyd River in Sheldon, Iowa, is seen overflowing its banks.]()
Image 4 of 7The Floyd River in Sheldon, Iowa, is seen overflowing its banks. (O’Brien County Emergency Management)
![Flooding is seen in Sheldon, Iowa.]()
Image 5 of 7Flooding is seen in Sheldon, Iowa. (O’Brien County Emergency Management)
![This photo shows trees flooded after the Floyd River in Sheldon, Iowa, overflowed its banks.]()
Image 6 of 7This photo shows trees flooded after the Floyd River in Sheldon, Iowa, overflowed its banks. (O’Brien County Emergency Management)
![This photo shows the Floyd River in Sheldon, Iowa, flooding.]()
Image 7 of 7This photo shows the Floyd River in Sheldon, Iowa, flooding. (O’Brien County Emergency Management)
Sheldon isn't the only Iowa community that has been impacted by flooding, however.
In Rock Valley, a levee break along the Rock River early Saturday morning led to a frantic evacuation of the town, with officials sounding the tornado sirens to alert residents of the impending danger.
Drone video shows extensive flooding in Rock Valley, Iowa
Six inches of rain in the past three days led to swollen rivers and a levee break in Rock Valley, Iowa, pouring floodwaters into town and triggering urgent evacuations. (Video courtesy: Sioux County Sheriff's Office)
Video from the Sioux County Sheriff's Office showed numerous homes and businesses submerged as water rushed through town.
"The City of Rock Valley urges residents to stay out of floodwaters," the city said on Facebook. "Residents who choose to go back into flood waters to check on their homes or retrieve belongings or pets, enter at their own risk. Our city first responders and personnel cannot be pulled away or sent back into the flood water if evacuations are not followed."
O'Brien County officials said first responders had performed several water rescues after people became trapped in their vehicles after getting swept away in the flooding.
Nine cars of a train derailed in floodwater in Lyon County, Iowa on June 21, 2024.
(Warrior Sports Photography)
And in nearby Lyon County, flooding was blamed for a train derailment near Alvord.
Nine train cars were knocked off the tracks around 4:30 a.m. Friday, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office said. But no hazardous materials were spilled or involved.