“We need answers before we can do anything” – McCook residents continue to express their displeasure with North Sioux City officials regarding post-flood reconstruction aid

NORTH SIOUX CITY, SD (KTIV) – Homeowners along McCook Lake once again crowded into the North Sioux City council chambers Wednesday night for a special meeting to update residents on the city’s response to flooding. Many are frustrated with the city’s response and voiced their feelings at Wednesday’s meeting.

City officials have announced that FEMA will be coming to North Sioux City from July 15-19. They want all residents to submit a form detailing flood damage to FEMA by July 12 so that these documents will be ready when they arrive.

The city administration is also considering introducing a notification system to send warnings more efficiently.

Some residents say they need more information to save their flood-damaged homes. Many want to know, for example, whether the land around their homes is even safe.

“Someone has to tell us. Is our country OK? Is there airpox? Do we need to be worried about this? I don’t want to go into my house and live there and have that fear. That’s no life,” said Charlene Smith, a McCook Lake resident.

Some also expressed frustration with the lack of help, not only physical but also financial. Many wish the city would do more.

“When you consider the damage that has been done here and the fact that most of these people can’t afford to rebuild their homes. Or the PTSD patients who don’t want to go back to their homes. Is there any possibility that the city will buy up this property? And abandon it and make sure your waterway does what it needs to do. Along with city, state and federal funding, whatever you need to do,” said Amy McDonald, a McCook Lake resident.

To hear more from residents who spoke during Monday night’s meeting, watch KTIV’s live stream here.

• For online assistance from FEMA follow this link

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