With water levels rising rapidly in Ottumwa by the hour, one of the city's power sub-stations was in danger of being overrun. However, thanks to nearly 100 National Guard Soldiers, this central power supply was rescued through the construction of a three-foot tall levee.
Soldiers from the Iowa National Guard's 334th Brigade Support Battalion and the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry combined to do everything within their power to protect the Ottumwa sub-station. According to Capt. Marcus Smoot, 133rd company commander, the Soldiers began building the levee at about 4:30 in the morning, continuing construction well past 7 p.m.
"It's just overwhelming when you have this many people show up," said Brad Appler, an Alliance Energy sub-station manager. "The local people here really, really appreciate the Guard showing up and helping out."
According to Appler, when the station was built, civil engineers were confident that, under normal conditions, it was high enough and far enough from the river. This flood, as many Iowans are finding out, is far from normal.
"I'm going to build a new flood wall after this," said Appler. He added it'll be at least as high as the sandbag wall now being constructed.
In their effort to hold back the flood waters, Soldiers first had to get to the station, which was already surrounded by 10-feet of water. A temporary road, roughly 25 feet long, was created using 30 dump truck loads of gravel. With dry access from the mainland to the stranded power station, Soldiers created a human chain and started stacking sandbags.
As the day went on, Ottumwa residents heard about the Guard's efforts and volunteered to help.
"We got a call for civilians to help, and the local people in Ottumwa turned out to stand right along with the National Guard," said Appler.
"A lot of times they'll thank you, they appreciate us out here," said Pvt. 1st Class Peter Dunphy, Company C, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry. "It's good to get out here and fill some sandbags and help the community," he said.
The local Hy-Vee helped by catering 280 meals, three times a day, for the Soldiers.
"It's astronomical. It's a huge undertaking," said Joy Thompson, the Hy-Vee kitchen manager. "I love it." Thompson also noted she has a son in the military and likes to help out as much as she can.
With so much support from the local community, the National Guard was able to continue its mission.
Throughout the day, Soldiers tossed sandbags to residents, who in turn tossed sandbags to other Soldiers in an effort to hold back the flood waters.
"It's been one heck of a sandbag line all day long," said Appler.
As the last wall neared completion, a portion of the eastern sub-station wall started to collapse into the water. A Guardmember yelled, "Someone get the engineer!," as Soldiers and residents rushed to the site and began re-building. More sandbags were stacked into the breach, making it stronger than before.
This was not Company C's first battle with Iowa flood waters. Before fortifying the Ottumwa power station, they were helping sandbag in Oskaloosa and Cedar Falls before that.
"We're just running around, going where we're needed most and this is it right now," said Sgt. Sean Rohert, Company C, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry.
"We helped out in Parkersburg two weeks ago," said Dunphy. "It's good to be doing what we're here to do."
After a long day of stacking nearly 12,000 sandbags, the Iowa Citizen-Soldiers, exhausted but pleased with their efforts, were able to look on as the power station seemingly floated on a sandbag raft.
"It's a pleasure giving something back to the community. It's good service," said Sgt. 1st Class Chino Halpin, Company E, FSC, 334 BSB.