Reflecting on the Rock Valley flood of June 2024

Over the last two weeks Rock Valley has been enduring the effects of a flood that have shaken the community. The rain started Thursday June 20th with rain in the forecast for the next 48 hours. From Thursday night to Saturday morning the 22nd, we received more than a foot of rain in some areas that were already saturated with rainwater. What began as heavy rainfall quickly escalated into a flood that filled streets, homes, and businesses across Rock Valley. The normally tranquil rivers and streams quickly began to rush with strong currents, breaching their banks and flooding neighborhoods within hours.

The Rock River runs through the heart of Rock Valley and Saturday morning the river depth was recorded at 27 feet; this is 5 feet over the previous record set in 2014. The flood of 2014 was said to be a 100-year flood.

The damage was severe with 100-150 homes having water on the main floor and 500 homes and 75 businesses that were damaged by the flood water.

Kooima Ag saw the need to go out and help their community. On Monday, after the long weekend, we as a company went out to help. Some went to help strangers, others to churches, and some had to deal with their own homes. It was heartwarming to see so many people show up to help, yet heartbreaking to see all the damage the flood has caused.