While a number of local Moody County residents face ongoing challenges with flooding along the big Sioux River, the Rock River’s relentless rise in Iowa has left newlywed Catrina (Standifer) Van Otterloo, a native of Egan, and her husband Cody facing severe devastation.
Despite berms built in 2019 to protect Rock Valley from flooding, continuous rains throughout June sent the river over its banks and through town.
Residents, including the Van Otterloos, were warned of potential evacuations, but no one anticipated the river’s dramatic rise in the early hours of last Saturday, June 22.
As rain and water surged, Catrina quickly grabbed what she could from their 16th Street home and made her way to Cody’s parents’ house outside of town. She was lucky to have made it through she said, uncertain her vehicle would have made it had she left any later.
Two of the main roads in and out of town were completely submerged.

Cody, who was still filling sandbags and working to protect the town, soon followed.
“We went within hours from having a home to having nothing,” Catrina said. “We don’t even know what to do. We’ve started cleaning out our house and have most everything from the main floor, out.”
Now residing in a bedroom at their in-laws’ home, the Van Otterloos wait to learn the fate of their own home along 16th Street in town.
Catrina is busy salvaging belongings and sorting paperwork for assistance, grateful for the support of family and friends. She returned home this past weekend to clear her head and spend time with her parents. Cody continues to work to help others recover.
Both, said Catrina, are what she feels they need to do right now to heal and recover.
“It’s a grieving process, and something I hope we never have to go through again,” Catrina said, asking for prayers and help for the entire community. “To help in any way, come down, help with clean-up; many hands make light work.”
Kevin Oestenstad of rural Flandreau is doing just that. Raised in the Spencer, Iowa area, he’s returned home to help family and friends and aid in recovery efforts. The Iowa National Guard also assisted in clean-up efforts this past weekend.