{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-seeks-info-army-corps-after-historic-flooding", "Rep. Axne Seeks Info from Army Corps After Historic Flooding", "2019-09-09", "2019", "2019-09", "Democrat", "House", "IA", "Cynthia Axne", "A000378", "axne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) requested information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the steps taken to notify communities immediately prior, during and after the historic flooding that devastated communities across Southwest Iowa in March. In a letter sent to Colonel John Hudson, Commander and District Engineer, Rep. Axne requested a specific timeline of events in order to help ensure that Army Corps has the proper procedures in place to ensure the public receives timely information to mitigate damages in future natural disasters.\nMany of my constituents feel they did not receive adequate warnings and notice about the 2019 March flooding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. I have heard from residents that were given evacuation notices with no time to collect their belongings or prepare, fleeing their houses without shoes or a change of clothes. I respectfully request a written response with a timeline on when the Army Corps became aware of the eminent and immediate danger our communities faced, and what steps the Army Corps took to alert communities, wrote Rep. Axne.\nRep. Axne requested written responses to the following six questions:\n What actions did the Army Corps take to prepare for the flooding?\n\tWhat actions did the Army Corps take during and after the flooding?\n\tPlease provide a detailed explanation of the decision-making process behind releasing reservoir waters, and each levee that was compromised.\n\tPlease provide a timeline of when the Army Corps notified communities regarding the flooding, and who was the point of contact.\n\tWhat actions were taken by the Omaha District to notify, and communicate with, local officials and residents of affected areas about the Midwestern flooding before and during the flooding?\n\tWhat can Army Corps do to improve communication with the public about flooding of the Missouri River, or tributary waters, in Iowa or Nebraska, and do you have any recommendations for any changes to statutory authorizations necessary to improve such communication?\n Full text of the letter is available here and below:\n\nSeptember, 09, 2019\nColonel John Hudson\nCommander and District Engineer\nOmaha District\nU.S. Army Corps of Engineers\n\nDear Colonel Hudson,\nFollowing devastating flooding that hit Southwest Iowa and Nebraska in March 2019, families, businesses and farmers in my district are continuing the long road to recovery. This disaster was recorded as some of the worst flooding in recent history. The total damage cost the Midwest at least $3 billion, and our recovery efforts are still ongoing.\nMany of my constituents feel they did not receive adequate warnings and notice about the 2019 March flooding from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. I have heard from residents that were given evacuation notices with no time to collect their belongings or prepare, fleeing their houses without shoes or a change of clothes. I respectfully request a written response with a timeline on when the Army Corps became aware of the eminent and immediate danger our communities faced, and what steps the Army Corps took to alert communities. \nThis information will help ensure that Army Corps has the proper procedures in place to ensure communities receive timely information to mitigate damages in future natural disasters. Should you discover that policy changes are required, I am committed to being a leader and a partner in that effort to ensure our citizens are notified as quickly as possible. \nI am seeking answers specifically on the way Army Corps notified communities and action steps taken during the 2019 Midwestern flooding. I would request these answers only focus on immediately before, during, and immediately after the flooding event. I ask that U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to respond with an outline of their preparations before, during, and after this historic flooding and answer the following questions:\n What actions did the Army Corps take to prepare for the flooding? \n\tWhat actions did the Army Corps take during and after the flooding?\n\tPlease provide a detailed explanation of the decision-making process behind releasing reservoir waters, and each levee that was compromised. \n\tPlease provide a timeline of when the Army Corps notified communities regarding the flooding, and who was the point of contact. \n\tWhat actions were taken by the Omaha District to notify, and communicate with, local officials and residents of affected areas about the Midwestern flooding before and during the flooding?\n\tWhat can Army Corps do to improve communication with the public about flooding of the Missouri River, or tributary waters, in Iowa or Nebraska, and do you have any recommendations for any changes to statutory authorizations necessary to improve such communication?\n Thank you for your work on behalf of Iowa and the work you have done to help our communities recover. I look forward to your answers and to working together to best serve Iowans.\n  Sincerely,\n\nCindy Axne\nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-seeks-info-army-corps-after-historic-flooding"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8624291513115168, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}