Summertime is usually about fun in the sun and cooling off in the water. For many residents of North Sioux City though, and especially those on the banks of McCook Lake, it was nothing short of a disaster.
Flooding in southeastern South Dakota was horrific for those facing the worst of it. Late June’s flooding resulted in one known fatality and several washed away homes and roads. Months later, citizens are still questioning local flood plans and the government response.
Julie Burhoop lost a property in the flooding, but not her primary home. In the time since, she’s emerged as an advocate for the community, particularly those who have lost everything.
She said progress has been slow, uneven, and inconsistent.
“We’re just passed the three-month mark since it happened, and some things have changed, and some things haven’t changed at all," Burhoop said. "This wasn’t just normal floodwater. This didn’t just get some basements wet. This was complete and utter devastation.”
Indeed, some roads remain closed, and some families are not yet allowed to return to the remains of their properties. Burhoop said months on, it’s still clear a major disaster hit the community.
“A lot of people actually haven’t seen the actual destruction that’s still very much there and present," Burhoop said. "There’s everything from sofas to picture frames to articles of clothing and kids’ toys, all strewn throughout the area. To look at these homes that have fallen in, it’s just too traumatic.”
And as the flood moves further into the past, Burhoop said local leadership needs to push for more serious resources.
“The hard thing is when I went to the FEMA office, and they said they’d connect me to volunteer groups," Burhoop said. "It’s like, I don’t need a body that can go in there and help me do some physical manual labor. I need an excavator.”
Burhoop continues to advocate for the community, and said she hopes flooding victims can find the strength to talk about their experiences through the healing process.