ROCK VALLEY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have been evacuating people from floodwaters because more heavy rain has fallen in and around a hard-hit northwest Iowa town. Rock Valley issued a mandatory evacuation order for northern parts of the city Sunday night, where the Rock River had left its banks. A post on the city’s Facebook site says the displaced are encouraged to find shelter at Faith Reformed Church on the south side of the city of about 3,300 residents.
A travel ban was issued because vehicle wakes were causing extra problems. The ban was lifted early this (Monday) morning. Crude oil from derailed railroad tank cars upstream added to the city misery. Officials say 14 of them leaked after Friday’s derailment near Doon, along the bloated Little Rock River, which merges with the Rock River nearby.