Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds was back in Pacific Junction Monday where the flood waters have receded, but more are threatening.
Debris is all over as families want to return, but are anxious about the possibility of high waters coming back. It's one of the reasons Reynolds took a closer look Monday. Her visit came as a $19 billion disaster relief bill was passed by the House. It now awaits President Trump's signature.
Right now there are eight families living in campers not allowed back in. Mayor Andy Young told 6 News "We're going to build back and start on with our golden years." Young is hoping to move into his Pacific Junction home by this fall. Right now he’s trying to get it dried out.
For weeks, flood waters almost reached his ceiling. Even then there was no question he would be returning. Not to mention, it doesn’t look good if the mayor leaves.
“We're a strong community. We've had families here who are fourth and fifth generations." Governor Reynolds returned to Pacific Junction to give an update on relief and clean-up. Anything to speed up the process of hundreds of people returning home.
“We're trying to identify some of the housing where we can move people uphill, just to encourage them," she told 6 News. "So as they get a buyout, they've got a spot ready to go. We want to keep our people in our community. We don't want to lose them."
Reynolds says she's working hard to make sure there is funding to rebuild the levees and make them higher to give folks the confidence to live here again.
(Photo: 6 News)