Iowa floodwaters breach levees as even more rain dumps onto parts of the Midwest

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Tornado warnings, flash flooding and large hail added insult to injury for people in the Midwest already contending with heat, humidity and intense flooding after days of rain.

The National Weather Service on Tuesday afternoon and evening issued multiple tornado warnings in parts of Iowa and Nebraska as local TV news meteorologists showed photos of large hail and spoke of very heavy rain.

Earlier on Tuesday, floodwaters breached levees in Iowa, creating dangerous conditions that prompted evacuations.

A vast swath of lands from eastern Nebraska and South Dakota to Iowa and Minnesota has been under siege from flooding from torrential rains since last week, while also being hit with a scorching heat wave. Up to 18 inches (46 centimeters) of rain have fallen in some areas, and some rivers rose to record levels. Hundreds of people were rescued, homes were damaged and at least two people died after driving in flooded areas.

The sheriff's office in Monona County, near the Nebraska border, said the Little Sioux River breached levees in several areas. In neighboring Woodbury County, the sheriff’s office posted drone video on Facebook showing the river overflowing the levee and flooding land in rural Smithland. No injuries were immediately reported.

Patrick Prorok, emergency management coordinator in Monona County, described waking people at about 4 a.m. in Rodney, a town of about 45 people, to recommend evacuation. Later Tuesday morning, the water hadn’t yet washed into the community.

“People up the hill are saying it is coming our way,” Prorok said.

As new areas were flooding Tuesday, some cities and towns were cleaning up after the waters receded while others downstream were piling sandbags and taking other measures to protect against the oncoming swelled currents. Some normal, unassuming tributaries ballooned into rushing rivers, damaging homes, buildings and bridges.

“Normally, this river is barely a trickle,” 71-year-old Hank Howley said as she watched the Big Sioux’s waters gush over a broken and partially sunken rail bridge in North Sioux City, South Dakota, on Monday. “Really, you could just walk across it most days.”

South Dakota state geologist Tim Cowman said that the five major rivers in the state’s southeastern corner have crested and are dropping, albeit it slowly. The last of those rivers to crest, the James, did so early Tuesday.

In a residential development along McCook Lake in North Sioux City, the devastation became clear Tuesday as floodwaters began to recede from Monday, exposing collapsed streets, utility poles and trees. Some homes had been washed off their foundations.

“Currently, there is no water, sewer, gas or electrical service in this area,” Union County Emergency Management said in a Facebook post.

President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for affected counties in Iowa on Monday, a move that paves the way for federal aid to be granted.

To the south in Sioux City and Woodbury County, Iowa, officials responded to residents’ complaints that they had received little warning of the flooding and its severity. Sioux City Fire Marshal Mark Aesoph said at a news conference Tuesday that rivers crested higher than predicted.

“Even if we would have known about this two weeks ago, there was nothing we could do at this point. We cannot extend the entire length of our levee,” Sioux City Fire Marshal Mark Aesoph said. “It’s impossible.”

Water had spilled over the Big Sioux River levee, and Aesoph estimated hundreds of homes likely have some internal water damage.

Homes on the south side of Spencer, Iowa near the Little Sioux River are unlivable as water has reached the main floor, resident Ben Thomas said. A lot of people in town are facing a “double whammy,” with homes and businesses affected.

Officials in Woodbury County said around a dozen bridges over the Little Sioux River had been topped by flood water, and each would need to be inspected to see if they can reopen to traffic.

Forever Wildlife Lodge and Clinic, a nonprofit animal rescue, in northwest Iowa has answered over 200 calls since the flooding started, said licensed wildlife rehabilitator Amanda Hase.

Hase described the flooding as “catastrophic” for Iowa wildlife, which are getting washed out of dens, injured by debris and separated from each other. She and other rehabilitators are responding to calls about all kinds of species, from fawns and groundhogs to bunnies and eaglets.

“I’ve never seen it this bad before, ever,” she said.

Further to the east in Humboldt, Iowa, a record crest of 16.5 feet (5 meters) was expected Wednesday at the west fork of the Des Moines River. Amid high temperatures and humidity, nearly 68,000 sandbags have been laid, according to county emergency manager Kyle Bissell.

Bissell told reporters Tuesday that there was no water on the streets yet, but flooding had begun in some backyards and was reaching up to foundations. Humboldt is home to nearly 5,000 residents.

In Michigan, more than 150,000 homes and businesses were without power Tuesday morning after severe thunderstorms barreled through, less than a week after storms left thousands in the dark for days in suburban Detroit.

The weather service also predicted more than two dozen points of major flooding in southern Minnesota, eastern South Dakota and northern Iowa, and flood warnings are expected to continue into the week.

Many streams, especially with additional rainfall, may not crest until later this week as the floodwaters slowly drain down a web of rivers to the Missouri and Mississippi. The Missouri will crest at Omaha on Thursday, said Kevin Low, a weather service hydrologist.

North of Des Moines, Iowa, the lake above the Saylorville Dam was absorbing river surge and expected to largely protect the metro area from flooding, according to the Polk County Emergency Management Agency. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projected Tuesday that water levels at Saylorville Lake will rise by more than 30 feet (9 meters) by the Fourth of July.

Outside Mankato, Minnesota, the local sheriff’s office said Monday that there was a “partial failure” of the western support structure for the Rapidan Dam on the Blue Earth River after the dam became plugged with debris. Flowing water eroded the western bank, rushed around the dam and washed out an electrical substation, causing about 600 power outages.

Eric Weller, emergency management director for the Blue Earth County sheriff, said the bank would likely erode more, but he didn’t expect the concrete dam itself to fail. The two homes downstream were evacuated.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday cautioned against rebuilding too fast, instead emphasizing more sustainable repairs that could prevent or mitigate future flooding.

“Nature doesn’t care whether you believe in climate change or not,” Walz said. “The insurance companies sure believe in it. The actuarials sure believe in it, and we do.”

Collins reported from Hartford, Connecticut, and Beck reported from Omaha, Nebraska. Associated Press writer Rick Callahan in Indianapolis contributed to this report.

A tornado is seen near Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. More severe weather was forecast to move into the region Tuesday, potentially bringing large hail, damaging winds and even a brief tornado or two in parts of western Iowa and eastern Nebraska, according to the National Weather Service. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette via AP)

In this photo provided by the Minnesota Governor’s Office, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz surveys flood damage over southern Minn., Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Courtesy of the Minnesota Governor’s Office)

In this photo provided by the Minnesota Governor’s Office, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks during a press conference in Minn., Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Walz took an aerial tour over southern Minnesota to survey flood damage. (Courtesy of the Minnesota Governor’s Office)

La Hansen, left, and her husband, Chuck, stroll about a partially flooded downtown Waterville, Minn., on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. La said it is the first time she has been out since Sunday. (Casey Ek/The Free Press via AP)

Kason Fisher wheels past flood waters from Sakatah Lake in downtown Waterville, Minn., on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Casey Ek/The Free Press via AP)

Debris is shown stuck on the Grand Avenue Bridge over the Little Sioux River as a sump pump forces water back into the river, in Spencer, Iowa, Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The bridge was closed to traffic as of noon Tuesday. (Tim Hynds/Sioux City Journal via AP)

Volunteer Tyron Berkenpas, an employee of Maintainer Corporation in Sheldon, Iowa, removes a bag of flood-damaged items, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, from the basement of a home on East Second Street in Spencer, Iowa. Spencer, population of about 11,400, is recovering after the Little Sioux River flooded a large section of the city this past weekend. Officials there say about 40% of properties in the city were affected by the flooding. (Tim Hynds/Sioux City Journal via AP)

Jared Gerlock, left, and his son, Robbie, carry a bin of water-logged stuffed animals, out of the flood-damaged basement of their home on East Second St. in Spencer, Iowa Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Officials say about 40% of properties in the city were affected after the Little Sioux River flooded. (Tim Hynds/Sioux City Journal via AP)

A small U.S. flag stands in a flooded yard in Waterville. Minn., Tuesday, June 25, 2024. A vast swath of lands from eastern Nebraska and South Dakota to Iowa and Minnesota has been under siege from flooding of torrential rains since last week, while also being hit with a scorching heat wave. (Casey Ek/The Free Press via AP)

Rachel Morsching sits Tuesday, June 25, 2024, on the flooded porch of her father Dean Roemhildt's home in Waterville., Minn. Waters from the nearby Tetonka and Sakatah lakes have encroached on the town amid recent heavy rains. (Casey Ek/The Free Press via AP)

Heavy rains in recent days have submerged farmland near Vermillion, S.D., on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Flooding has devastated communities in several states across the Midwest. (Jake Hoffner via AP)

An onlooker stands on a road barrier as waters rush by the Rapidan Dam in Rapidan, Minn., Monday, June 24, 2024. Waters from the Blue Earth River diverted the dam amid recent heavy rainfalls. (Casey Ek/The Free Press via AP)

The Rapidan Dam in Rapidan, Minn., wears the damage after a partial collapse of the west bank, Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Casey Ek/The Free Press via AP)

Floodwaters rush over a collapsed railroad bridge over the Big Sioux River near North Sioux City, S.D., on Monday, June 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh Jurgens)

Onlookers take in the catastrophic damage to the Rapidan Dam site in Rapidan, Minn., Monday, June 24, 2024. Debris blocked the dam forcing the heavily backed up waters of the Blue Earth River to reroute along the bank nearest the Dam Store. (Casey Ek/The Free Press via AP)

The innards of a house near the Rapidan Dam in Rapidan, Minn., are visible as waters from the Blue Earth River rush by, Monday, June 24, 2024. (Casey Ek/The Free Press via AP)

Heavy rains in recent days have submerged farmland near Vermillion, S.D., on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Flooding has devastated communities in several states across the Midwest. (Jake Hoffner via AP)

A home teeters on the brink of collapsing into the Blue Earth River on Monday, June 24, 2024, near the Rapidan Dam in Mankato, Minn. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP)

Brian Jeffrey wades through a flooded Riverside City Park alongside the Cannon River in Northfield, Minn., on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)

A shipping container barrels down the Blue Earth River, Monday, June 24, 2024, in Rapidan, Minn., after waters from the waterway diverted the Rapidan Dam, causing massive damage to the western cliffs. (Casey Ek/The Free Press via AP)

Crews survey the area surrounding the Rapidan Dam from a lift, Monday, June, 24, 2024, in Rapidan, Minn. (Casey Ek/The Free Press via AP)

Floodwaters from the Big Sioux River erode land in North Sioux City, S.D., on Monday, June 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh Jurgens)

Caution tape surrounds collapsed buildings from the Big Sioux River flooding in North Sioux City, S.D., on Monday, June 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh Jurgens)

A bench sits in floodwaters as the the Missouri River boat club is overrun by flooding in Sioux City, Iowa, Monday, June 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh Jurgens)

Volunteers toss sandbags into the bucket of a loader that will take them to be used to reinforce a berm on the northeast side of Jefferson, South Dakota, Sunday, June 23, 2024. The sandbag effort is an attempt to keep floodwaters from the Big Sioux River from inundating the town. (Tim Hynds/Sioux City Journal via AP)

Many families embark on Falls Park in Sioux Falls, S.D., as water rose quickly Saturday, June 22, 2024, after days of heavy rain led to flooding in the area. (AP Photo/Josh Jurgens)

Husets Speedway is underwater after days of heavy rain led to flooding in the area, Saturday, June 22, 2024 , south of Brandon, S.D.. Several campers needed to be rescued due to quickly rising water. (AP Photo/Josh Jurgens)

A South Dakota Highway Patrol Officer keeps watch over a flooded bridge that was underwater after days of heavy rain led to flooding in the area, near Lake Alvin, S.D., Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh Jurgens)

South Cedar Street is underwater after days of heavy rain led to flooding in the area, Saturday, June 22, 2024, south of Canton, S.D. (AP Photo/Josh Jurgens)

Heavy rains cause high water levels at the Rapidan Dam near Mankato, Minn., Monday, June 24, 2024. Officials say the dam is threatened with “imminent failure.” (AP Photo/Mark Vancleave)

Flooding from the Big Sioux River damages roads and buildings in North Sioux City, S.D., on Monday, June 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh Jurgens)

CORRECTS TO CLARIFY HOWLEY DID NOT EVACUATE HER HOME - Hank Howley, 71, stands on the banks of the Big Sioux River in North Sioux City, S.D., Monday, June 24, 2024, where a railroad bridge collapsed a day earlier due to flooding. (AP Photo/Margery A. Beck)

A damaged railroad bridge sits in rising floodwaters from the Big Sioux River near North Sioux City, on Monday, June 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh Jurgens)

Tam Nguyen, wearing cap, is helped to dry land by a Sioux City Fire Rescue firefighter after he and Bruce Ege, left, were rescued by boat from their flooded homes in the Riverside neighborhood of Sioux City, Iowa, Monday, June 24, 2024. The evacuations were occurring in the wake of flooding from the Big Sioux and Missouri Rivers. (Tim Hynds/Sioux City Journal via AP)

Flooding from the Big Sioux River damage buildings in North Sioux City, S.D., on Monday, June 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh Jurgens)

Floodwaters pass over a collapsed railroad bridge over the Big Sioux River near North Sioux City, S.D., on Monday, June 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh Jurgens)

A temporary levee helps diverge flooding from the Big Sioux River in North Sioux City, S.D., on Monday, June 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh Jurgens)

Missy Wheeler carries a basket while helping her mother-in-law Sheila Wheeler, back, evacuate her home on Whitcher Avenue, in Sioux City, Iowa's Riverside neighborhood Monday, June 24, 2024. Evacuations were occurring n the wake of flooding from the Big Sioux and Missouri Rivers. (Tim Hynds/Sioux City Journal via AP)

Heavy rains cause high water levels at the Rapidan Dam near Mankato, Minn., Monday, June 24, 2024. Officials say the dam is threatened with “imminent failure.” (AP Photo/Mark Vancleave)

Flooding from the Big Sioux River damages roads and buildings in North Sioux City, S.D., on Monday, June 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh Jurgens)

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Guardians signed free agent left-hander Matthew Boyd to a major league contract for the remainder of the season, an addition that will give the AL Central leaders some added pitching depth and protection.

Boyd, though, is still recovering from undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery last year, and won't be ready to join the Guardians until at least August. Boyd has progressed to throwing live batting practice.

“We don’t have a specific timetable at this point,” president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said Saturday on a Zoom call. “But Matt’s been a very effective major league starter when he's healthy and we believe he can be a boost to our rotation and add some depth for us as we advance here through the season.”

Boyd was shut down last season after making 15 starts with Detroit. The 33-year-old agreed to a deal earlier this week with Cleveland and passed medical tests.

The Guardians were one of more than a dozen teams to attend a recent workout to see Boyd's progress.

Boyd is 44-67 with a 4.94 ERA in 160 starts since breaking in with Toronto in 2020. He spent seven seasons with the Tigers and one with Seattle before re-signing with Detroit in 2023.

Due to injuries, he's been limited to just 52 games over the past four seasons.

The Guardians, who have dropped three straight games and the first two of their four-game series in Kansas City, could be in the market for more starting pitching as the trading deadline approaches.

Before then, the team will get a boost as Gavin Williams is set to join the rotation after hurting his elbow in spring training.

The hard-throwing 24-year-old was expected to have a major role with Cleveland this season before he got hurt throwing a weighted ball in March. Williams made his sixth rehab start on Thursday for Triple-A Columbus, making 82 pitches in four innings.

Antonetti said the team will create a roster spot before Sunday's game for Williams, a former first-round pick who went 3-5 in 15 starts as a rookie last season.

“We’ll have to continue to be thoughtful with him as we build up his progression,” Antonetti said. “He won’t be on an unrestricted plan moving forward like a typical starter, but we think he’s at a point now where he’s able to help us win games."'

Antonetti also addressed Triston McKenzie's recent struggles. The right-hander had his third straight rough outing on Friday, allowing five runs and five hits in just 2 1/3 innings as Cleveland lost 10-3.

McKenzie hasn't gone more than three innings in his last three starts. He's 3-5 with a 5.11 ERA in 16 starts.

“It’s been inconsistent with Triston at times,” Antonetti said. “We have seen him make progress with how his body’s moving and some of the delivery work he’s been doing with our coaches, but it’s not yet to a point where it’s translated to consistent results in the game.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

FILE - Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Matthew Boyd throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, June 21, 2023, in Detroit. The Cleveland Guardians signed free agent left-hander Matthew Boyd to a major league contract for the remainder of the season on Saturday, June 29, 2024, an addition that will give the AL Central leaders some added pitching depth and protection. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio,m File)