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Storms deluge Iowa, Minnesota and other Midwestern states. As of Saturday, August 14, federal
disaster aid eligibility was noted for 50 Iowa counties following the past week’s
severe weather, after a 16-year-old teenager perished on Wednesday in raging floodwaters
and four others were injured, while hundreds were forced to flee their homes as floodwaters
rose. The heavily submerged city of Ames also suffered major damage to a main pipeline,
with crews still working to restore drinking water for the city’s 55,000 residents. In
the state of Minnesota, tornados and severe wind storms on Thursday and Friday tore roofs
and walls off homes, collapsing smaller structures and uprooting trees. Meanwhile, Wisconsin
and Indiana were still recovering from flash floods during the week that had prompted road
and bridge closures as well as electricity outages and the temporary evacuation of residents.
We are thankful for all rescue and other teams working to restore the regular day-to-day
lives of the Midwestern residents. Our hearts are saddened to know of the loss of a young
life and we pray for the safety of all those affected as we envision a brighter future
for all of humanity through our more caring stewardship of the ecosphere.