Spencer Flooding Emergency - June 2024

posted on Saturday, June 22, 2024 in Public Notices

Spencer, IA and Clay County are experiencing historic flooding as of June 22, 2024. Below is information to help residents navigate the current situation.

Spencer Hospital and Emergency Department are open and accepting patients in need of medical care. The hospital is located at 1200 - 1st. Ave. E., Spencer, IA. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911.

Our Call Center is open from 7 am to 7 pm. Please call 712-264-6514. Call 911 for all medical emergencies!

Spencer Hospital Update - Saturday, June 29, 2024

As our community recovers from this disaster, it's important to prioritize safety and well-being. Seek medical attention for any injuries or illnesses, and support each other through this challenging time. Remember that recovery is a process, and taking care of yourself and your community is key to rebuilding stronger than before.

TDAP Vaccination Clinic

For More Information - Immunization Recommendations During A Natural Disaster

Clinic Information

Avera Medical Group Spencer Clinic & Quick Care are open normal hours. Patients in need of assistance can call the clinic directly at 712-264-3500.
Hartley Family Care of Spencer Hospital is open normal hours for anyone needing an appointment. Please call 712-928-1020.
Milford Family Care of Spencer Hospital is open normal hours for anyone needing an appointment. Please call 712-338-2461.
Sioux Rapids Family Care of Spencer Hospital will relocate to 702 Blake St., Sioux Rapids, IA. Physical Therapy services will be offered beginning Monday (7/1/24). All other services will open soon.

Pharmacies:

All pharmacies report being able to accept electronic or phone-in prescriptions. They are also able to provide limited emergency refills.

Hy-Vee: open normal hours 9am-7pm | 712-262-5611 | Limited delivery options available
Walgreens: open normal hours 9am-6pm, drive through only, store front closed but will fulfill online orders | 712-262-0231
Walmart: open normal hours 9am - 7pm | 712-260-2685*temp public phone
Thrifty White Mobile Pharmacy: Menards parking lot | 10am-7pm Monday - Friday | 712-949-3490

Spencer Hospital Pharmacists continue to assist area pharmacies and patients in need of emergency medicine.

Many Thanks:

We would like to thank the dedicated staff of Spencer Hospital who have been focused on caring for our patients and community, even while many are facing hardships themselves. We would also like to thank neighboring emergency services, hospitals, and businesses who have offered support and resources to meet the needs of Spencer and Clay County residents during this time.

We also thank the City of Spencer, Clay County, and state emergency teams for their diligent efforts in the recent days. They have worked tirelessly to protect residents and vital resources like Spencer Hospital.

Safety Information:

Carbon Monoxide: Use proper ventilation when operating fuel-burning equipment such as gas generators or gas sump pumps in enclosed spaces to protect yourself from Carbon Monoxide. It is recommended that generators remain 20 feet from your building when in use. Call 911 if you are experiencing any symptoms. Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning to watch for include:

Dull headache
Shortness of breath
Weakness or fatigue
Dizziness
Nausea/vomiting
Confusion
Blurred vision
Drowsiness

Carbon monoxide detectors are available to be picked up at Foundation Church. If you are physically unable to get to Foundation Church, please call City Hall (712-580-7200).

Electrical & Gas Safety:

Any electrical or gas equipment that has been affected by flood waters (is or has been wet) is not safe to continue operation and should be evaluated and/or replaced.
Any electrical meter socket or panel board that has been affected by water should have electrical service removed and replaced. This is a safety hazard that requires immediate attention.
Electrical breakers that have been wet may not operate as designed and stop flow of electrical current.
If your service equipment and/or electrical panels have been affected by flood water and you have electricity at your property, please contact SMU immediately. 712-580-5800
If your electrical service panel and/or distribution panel has NOT been affected by water, but you have equipment or wiring that has been, those circuits should be isolated or removed from the distribution. Affected wiring and or equipment will need to be evaluated and potentially replaced.
Black Hills Energy asks impacted customers to call Black Hills Energy when returning to a home or business once floodwaters recede and your appliances have been inspected to have the natural gas system restored and damaged metering equipment replaced. Call 888-890-5554 immediately and visit www.blackhillsenergy.com for information on flood safety and restoration.

Black Hills Energy Natural Gas: As a safety precaution, natural gas service is temporarily suspended in areas south of the river and may be impacted south of the railroad. We have trained technicians onsite assessing the damage and will restore service as soon as it is safe to do so. This could take several days in some situations. IF YOU SMELL GAS, OR EVIDENCE OF IT, GET OUT OF THE HOME IMMEDIATELY AND CALL 911. 888 call center number also avail for non-immediate emergency needs.

Pink Yard Flags: As part of the natural gas restoration process, our technicians marked gas meters that were turned off with pink yard flags. Please LEAVE these flags in your yard. The pink flags allow Black Hills Energy to properly track which meters are in need of repairs and will be removed once service is restored. Removing the flags before natural gas is restored, will only delay the process.

Additional City & State Updates

Volunteer: If you are willing and able to volunteer, please sign up here.

Donate: If you would like to donate to recovery efforts, the Spencer Chamber Foundation has set up a recovery fund. You can donate here. The Clay County Community Foundation has also set up a recovery fund. You can donate here.

Federal Disaster Emergency Proclamation. Read the Governor's press release with links to resources here.

FEMA Officials are in Spencer for disaster assistance. All Officials will have a FEMA Badge. Do NOT provide personal information if they do not have a badge! FEMA Officials will also be set up at the Clay County Fairgrounds. Begin to apply for disaster assistance online: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/

Emergency Housing: If you are in need of emergency housing, fill out the form at the following link and there will be a case manager assigned to help you. Sign up here.

Sign up for Clay County Alerts to stay aware of road closures, weather alerts, and other important information: Sign up here.

Shelters have been consolidated to the following location, and are now being operated by the American Red Cross:

Clay County Events Center: 800 W. 18th St., Spencer

Food essentials may be picked up at Foundation Church located at 1410 W. 18th St.

Tide Loads of Hope will be setting up in the Walmart parking lot on Saturday (6/29)

Rides Buses will be running a bus route that is free to the public from 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM daily (except Sunday). Route:

Foundation Church
Shelter (Clay County Events Center)
North Mall
Spencer Hospital
Avera Clinic
Hy-Vee
East Leach Park
Walmart
Menards
Windcrest

Debris: Citizens are able to drop items at the Transfer Station (Saturday:8 am - 6 pm, Closed Sunday) at no charge. A temporary tree & branch disposal site has been established directly west of the transfer station. Debris may also be set on the curb in 5 categories:

Household Hazardous Waste Items: Motor Oil, Paints, Solvents, Household Cleaners, Drain Openers and Pesticides
Garbage: Furniture, mattresses, carpet
Appliances, Electronics, TV's & Monitors, Tires
Scrap Metal
Tree Limbs & Trimmings

Wet Ammo Disposal: Per the Iowa State Fire Marshal and Chief Coulson, wet ammo can be dropped off at the East 1st Street entrance of the Fire Station (Door #1). It needs to be in a hard container, preferably a bucket. It cannot be in a box.

Additional updates will be provided as available.

Additional Resources

Iowa Flood Clean-Up Resources

Iowa Lakes Corridor Disaster Relief Resources

Disaster Cleanup Tips

Avoid Overheating