Mother Nature’s March Madness

Basketball brackets are falling and many are glued to television sets in order to see mid-majors knock off high seeded powerhouses. While Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota all had teams at the big dance, there have been bigger match-ups brewing at home in these states.

The First Round: Flood vs. Blizzard

Extreme flooding went up against a late winter hurricane in mid-March. It took many by surprise and was a grueling feat that resulted in lost homes, wrecked farms, and utter disaster. Forget the buzzer beaters, it was all about the bomb cyclone that wreaked devastation just prior to the debut of spring. The Washington Post reported, “The heaviest snowfall was expected from southeast Wyoming and western Nebraska into western and central South Dakota, with up to two feet coupled with 50 to 70 mph gusts — up to 80 mph at high elevations.”

Ice jams, broken levees, a raging Missouri River, and huge releases by the Corp of Engineers had everyone on the edge of their seats. And that feeling has not gone away as communities look to the near future with more spring flooding and natural disaster madness probable.

The Second Round: Pets vs. Wildlife

Towns and cities that were fortunate enough to get through the first rounds of high river levels and storm damage are seeing nature’s repercussions. Wild animals are being displaced due to the flooding and that means people and pets should be on alert.

I have seen this first-hand. Our two-year-old terrier was out for a walk with my husband last week and went one on one with a muskrat. My dog was on a leash and wearing a halter, yet still attempted to win out over a muskrat. The rodent went for a flagrant foul with two punctures to the neck. It happened fast, there was a lot of blood, and the whole event was extremely scary. Our family’s dog is okay after some sutures, staples, antibiotics, and an emergency run to the animal hospital.

Flooding and storms can have long-lasting effects. Be Aware!

The Finals: A Cinderella Story

Damaged homes, broken towns, and lost lives are at the heart of this recent natural catastrophe. However, through all of the loss and dismay…there is a strong sense of community and a willingness to help by many that has prevailed.

Those in the Cornhusker state have been “Nebraska Strong” from the very beginning. Residents of South Dakota have pulled together stretching from West River to East River. Iowans are in full force recovery and help mode.

The town of Hornick, in Iowa, was completely decimated by the flooding and all of the residents were forced to evacuate. This small town was a part of my childhood. It is a community that funneled into my consolidated school.

Furthermore, when townspeople were allowed back to Hornick they did not know what to expect. A lot of folks found damage beyond repair. The loudest stories are of people glad to be home with shout-outs of gratitude to all of the first responders, volunteers, church members, and neighboring community members who dropped everything to help.

It makes me proud to live in the Midwest. The compassion and generosity of so many can lead to great things. The flooding season is just getting started. My neck of the woods went through it in 2011 and has again this month. And we will get through it in the coming weeks thanks to the unlimited support of neighboring towns, family, friends, and those we call our village.

How to Help

Want to assist those hurt by the recent flooding and bomb cyclone? Here are some links to donation sites:

• Click here for a disaster relief fund to assist Nebraska famers, rural communities and ranchers.
• To make a donation to Offut Air Force Base and military families in Nebraska, please click here.
• Click here to see multiple GoFundMe donation sites for those who have suffered losses in SD, NE, IA, MN, and other states due to the recent flooding disaster.

The American Red Cross, and many, many, many other organizations are also collecting donations. Visit their websites to learn more.

Mother Nature’s March Madness bracket has nothing on the good people of the Midwest. It feels fantastic to know there are so many out there staying strong and working together. These great folks are the ultimate team versus a crisis of this magnitude.