As damage estimates continue to soar and a long road to recovery ahead, the governors of Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri are calling for significant changes in flood management.
The three governors gathered in Council Bluffs Wednesday afternoon. "By the three of us being here it demonstrates how important it is for our states," Nebraska Governor pete Ricketts says. "We have to do something different along the river."
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says, "We need to look at this from a regional perspective." She said it needs to be addressed in terms of the short and long term response." Ricketts says they asked to Corps to come back to them with some answers about how to avoid this from happening again.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said, "I think it's time we need some straight-up answers from the Corps." He said whatever options they come up with, "we need those options on the table. "One thing is evident. something needs to change. We need to focus on doing something."
Parson said it might take more participation at the state level to make the changes needed. "First of all we gotta figure out what happened," in the latest round of flooding. He noted, "We're not out of the woods yet."
While he said it might take more state action he said this is not something they can do on their own. The federal government will have to contribute to a solution.
Whatever plan evolves, all three governors said this needs to be a cooperative effort. Another meeting similar to Wednesday's is scheduled in three weeks.