Iowans are being reminded about the risks of inner tubing after an Omaha teen died Monday while tubing at Lake Manawa, in Council Bluffs. Todd Robertson, a spokesman for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says with heat indices soaring lately, even though you’re surrounded by water, you still need to drink plenty of fluids while tubing. “You have to drink enough water because heat exhaustion can come onto you,” Robertson says. “Even though you’re relaxing in a tube and just floating down the river, if that’s what you’re doing, it still takes a little bit of energy and plus you’ve got the sun beating down on you, so you have to stay hydrated.”

Robertson says inner tubes can be difficult to control, especially with all of the recent rain and the swift-moving water. “You have your hands and you have your feet, you don’t have a paddle, so you’re basically at the mercy of the current when you’re in a tube,” he says. “Some of these rivers that are really high in the state right now, you have no business being on anyway, and if you’re on a tube, chances are you’re gonna end up in some of that debris.”

Robertson says higher water levels often hide downed trees and branches. He says river users can enjoy the scenery but need to keep an eye downstream to avoid any hazardous surprises. He also suggests bringing along a buddy and letting those at home know where you’re going.

(Radio Iowa, w/Thanks to Pat Blank, Iowa Public Radio)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:00 a.m. CDT

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have released the names of two people killed in a Waterloo collision between a car and motorcycle. Police say the crash occurred around 5:40 p.m. Saturday, when the northbound car turned left into the path of the southbound motorcycle. Police say the motorcyclist and a passenger in the car died. The motorcyclist was identified as Courtland VanArsdale, who lived in Waterloo. The car passenger was identified as Tyah Hoskins, who lived in Cedar Falls.

MARION, Iowa (AP) — A Republican member of the Iowa House of Representatives has resigned to take a flying job. Rep. Ken Rizer, of Marion, will be piloting jet aircraft out of Des Moines for a private air travel company. Rizer was first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2016. He’s not seeking re-election this year. A special election won’t be required to replace Rizer in the 68th House District, because the Legislature has ended its annual session.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials say publicity around high-profile child abuse cases in Iowa has caused a surge in such reports. The Des Moines Register reports that confirmed child abuse cases in the state increased 26 percent last year, from almost 8,900 in 2016 to more than 11,200. Lawmakers say they believe media coverage of the starvation deaths of Natalie Finn in 2016 and Sabrina Ray in 2017 increased public awareness of the issue.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — Thousands of people lost power when a powerful thunderstorm swept through several communities in northern Iowa. Howling winds of up to 70 mph were reported Monday evening as hail pounded the Clear Lake-Mason City area. No injuries have been reported. Alliant Energy says the outages peaked at just over 10,000 customers.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Tuesday evening, released additional information about an apparent drowning that occurred at Lake Manawa Monday afternoon.

The drowning happened in the swimming area near the Lake Manawa beach around 1:15pm, when 16-year old Edgar Gregorio Loarca Garcia, of Omaha, Nebraska went under the water and did not resurface. It is believed that Garcia was a non-experienced swimmer.

Officials say while his death does not appear to be suspicious, an autopsy will be conducted. The swimming area at the Lake Manawa beach will likely be closed for the remainder of the week, while the investigation into this apparent drowning continues.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Parks Bureau and Law Enforcement Bureau were assisted by the Council Bluffs Fire Department, Omaha Fire Department Dive Team, Iowa State Patrol, Council Bluffs Police Department and Pottawattamie County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Atlantic Fire and Rescue was called to the scene of a residence at 408 Front Street, Tuesday evening, for what appeared to have been a lightning strike. The call came in just before 6-p.m. Fire Chief Mark McNees said there was smoke in the attic, but there was no obvious sign of a lightning hit.

There was burned wiring traced back to an extension cord that was connected to coupling that was plugged into a pool pump in the back yard. The pool pump exploded, causing the breaker box to trip. He said there was a bunch of wiring that was not connected to a junction box, but should have been. Regardless, there was no structural damage to the home. The power was cut off until an electrician can effect repairs sometime on Wednesday.

Later, McNees said a firefighter who lives nearby saw lightning in the area. It’s believed a bolt struck somewhere near the pool, possible finding a path to the wiring. Firefighters removed the smoldering insulation from the attic and ventilated the home. The residents and their animals got out safely.

Firefighters were on the scene for nearly an hour.