Iowa saw record flooding on both sides of the state last year, but the communities of Pacific Junction and Hamburg were particularly hard hit as flood waters engulfed homes up to their roof lines for weeks.
As the waters began to recede Emergency personnel took photos of homes so residents could see what shape their homes were in.
The almost 500 residents of Pacific Junction were forced to find shelter anywhere they could. Those who had family and friends that weren’t affected stayed with them as long as they could, others were forced to pay for motels or campsites for months while still paying for their home that was steeping in floodwaters just miles away.
Moving back was unthinkable for some and others couldn’t wait to begin rebuilding. That struggle continues as buyout offers and insurance information makes it way through a tangled web of channels to residents.
The first families have only recently got back into town and hope others join them in the only place they want to call home.
