Editing Spencer, Iowa (section)

===2024 flooding===

On June 22, 2024, a massive flood submerged much of the city and caused power outages for almost a full month. It began when both the [[Little Sioux River|Little Sioux]] and [[Ocheyedan River|Ocheyedan]] rivers overflowed due to heavy rainfall.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.ktiv.com/video/2024/06/23/flooding-spencer-closes-roads-evacuates-homes-leaves-some-stranded-2/ |title=Flooding in Spencer closes roads, evacuates homes and leaves some stranded |date=2024-06-23 |language=en |access-date=2024-06-23 |via=www.ktiv.com}}</ref>

The floods damaged over 2,500 homes and businesses with at least 1,000 beyond repair. Many Spencer residents were left homeless in the aftermath. One man was killed. The flooding here was the result of a larger system of storms that saw roughly 4–6 inches of rain dumped on various counties in northwest Iowa, southeastern South Dakota and southern Minnesota in a 24-hour period.

Clay County received approximately 14 total inches of rain the week of the flooding, of which 4.76 in. came the night of June 22.

On June 24, President [[Joe Biden]] approved a request for a disaster declaration in the state of Iowa which would allocate federal funds for flood victims in Clay, Emmet, Kossuth, Plymouth and Sioux Counties.

According to Spencer Fire Chief Jesse Coulson, firefighters rescued at least 383 people from the floodwaters but added that the number could easily be as high as 700 as not all water rescues were documented. Numerous individuals were pulled from their rooftops via helicopter.

On June 30, workers from [[FEMA]] began canvassing Clay County and working with homeowners affected by the floods.