Spencer, Iowa Flooding Emergency (2024)

posted on Saturday, June 22, 2024 in Public Notices

Spencer, IA and Clay County are experiencing historic flooding as of June 22, 2024. Below is information to help residents navigate the current situation.

Spencer Hospital and Emergency Department are open and accepting patients in need of medical care. The hospital is located at 1200 - 1st. Ave. E., Spencer, IA. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911.

Spencer Hospital Update - Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Our phone communications are down, but the hospital can be reached for non-emergency medical related questions at 712-240-3513 or 712-240-3503 from 7 am to 7 pm.

Avera Medical Group Spencer Clinic: 877-282-8372.

Abben Cancer Center after hours on-call nurse 5pm to 8am: 712-240-3552.

Avera@Home of Spencer Hospital Home Health and Hospice after hours on-call nurse 4:30pm to 8am: 712-240-2669.

Spencer Hospital Birth Center:712-240-3539.

Call 911 for all medical emergencies!

If you have any other questions, non-medically related, please contact info@spenceriowacity.com. This email is monitored 24/7 to respond to your questions.

The following Spencer Hospital services and clinics are open today for all patients who can safely travel:
Abben Cancer Center, Athletic Enhancement, Diagnostic Imaging, Urology, Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Services, Cardiac Rehab, Northwest Iowa Surgeons of Spencer Hospital, Infusion Clinic, and Telemedicine., ENT Outreach Clinics in Spirit Lake and Estherville, Spirit Lake Dialysis, Milford Clinic of Spencer Hospital, and Hartley Clinic of Spencer Hospital.

TDAP Vaccination Clinic

TDAP (Tetanus) vaccination Clinic will be open today from 2-6 pm at Spencer Hospital inside Entrance B. Hours for the remainder of the week will be Wednesday - Friday from 9 AM - 4 PM.

Thrifty White Pharmacy is offering TDAP vaccinations at their mobile pharmacy in the Menards parking lot from 10 am - 7 pm.

For More Information - Emergency Clinics Open in Response to Flood Disaster

Clinic Information

Quick Care at Avera Medical Group Spencer Clinic inside the Medical Arts building will be accepting patients from 1-5 pm today. Call 877-282-8372 for an appointment

The Avera Medical Group Spencer Clinic will be closed today. Patients in need of assistance can call 877-282-8372. Additional providers are available in our Milford Clinic for anyone needing an appointment.

The Sioux Rapids Clinic of Spencer Hospital and Avera Home Medical Equipment of Spencer Hospital will be closed until further notice.

Pharmacies

The following Spencer pharmacies are open to assist medication needs:
Hy-Vee Pharmacy: 9 am - 7 pm
Walgreens: 9 am - 6 pm, drove through only.
Walmart: 9 am - 7 pm
Thrifty White Mobile pharmacy located in the Menards parking lot.
Spencer Hospital Pharmacists continue to assist area pharmacies and patients in need of emergency medicine.

Safety Information

Please be careful and cautious while in the heat today and as you clean up after the disaster. We have put together information on ways to stay safe.

• Clean Up Safety
• Heat Safety

Most importantly, take care of yourselves and your families. Check on your neighbors, and ask for help when you need it.

We would like to thank the dedicated staff of Spencer Hospital who have been focused on caring for our patients and community, even while many are facing hardships themselves. We would also like to thank neighboring emergency services, hospitals, and businesses who have offered support and resources to meet the needs of Spencer and Clay County residents during this time.

We also thank the City of Spencer, Clay County, and state emergency teams for their diligent efforts in the recent days. They have worked tirelessly to protect residents and vital resources like Spencer Hospital.

Additional City & State Updates

Volunteer: If you are willing and able to volunteer, please sign up here.

Donate: If you would like to donate to recovery efforts, the Spencer Chamber Foundation has set up a recovery fund. You can donate here. The Clay County Community Foundation has also set up a recovery fund. You can donate here.

Federal Disaster Emergency Proclamation. Read the Governor's press release with links to resources here.

Spencer’s sewer system is down. Citizens should NOT flush toilets or use showers, washing machines and dishwashers and using your drains. Also please do not water lawns at this time. Please be aware that the water in the streets is not clean.

Spencer Municipal Utilities Water Service: Our plant is continuing to operate. The area of town affected by a drinking advisory is in South Spencer between the River and Highway 18 (also known as 11th Street SW-SE) between 10th Avenue SE and 11th Avenue SW. The water is safe at all other areas at this time. However, if you prefer, use bottled water for drinking/brushing teeth/food preparation. Crews are continuing to isolate water main issues.

Black Hills Energy Natural Gas:As a safety precaution, natural gas service is temporarily suspended in areas south of the river and may be impacted south of the railroad. We have trained technicians onsite assessing the damage and will restore service as soon as it is safe to do so. This could take several days in some situations.IF YOU SMELL GAS, OR EVIDENCE OF IT, GET OUT OF THE HOME IMMEDIATELY AND CALL 911. 888 call center number also avail for non-immediate emergency needs.

Safety Announcement:

• Any electrical or gas equipment that has been affected by flood waters (is or has been wet) is not safe to continue operation and should be evaluated and/or replaced.
• Any electrical meter socket or panel board that has been affected by water should have electrical service removed and replaced. This is a safety hazard that requires immediate attention.
• Electrical breakers that have been wet may not operate as designed and stop flow of electrical current.
• If your service equipment and/or electrical panels have been affected by flood water and you have electricity at your property, please contact SMU immediately. 712-580-5800
• If your electrical service panel and/or distribution panel has NOT been affected by water, but you have equipment or wiring that has been, those circuits should be isolated or removed from the distribution. Affected wiring and or equipment will need to be evaluated and potentially replaced.
• Black Hills Energy asks impacted customers to call Black Hills Energy when returning to a home or business once floodwaters recede and your appliances have been inspected to have the natural gas system restored and damaged metering equipment replaced. Call 888-890-5554 immediately and visit www.blackhillsenergy.com for information on flood safety and restoration.
  

Shelters have been consolidated to the following locations, and are now being operated by the American Red Cross:

• North Spencer - Iowa Lakes Comm. College (1900 Grand Ave.)
• South Spencer - Faith Pentecostal Church (1700 - 11th Ave. SW)

Food essentials may be picked up at Foundation Church located at 1410 W. 18th St.

Debris: Citizens are able to drop items at the Transfer Station (8 am - 5:30 pm) at no charge. If a dumpster is needed, please call the transfer station at 712-580-7270, there will be a charge for that. Debris may also be set on the curb in 5 categories:

1. Household Hazardous Waste Items: Motor Oil, Paints, Solvents, Household Cleaners, Drain Openers and Pesticides
2. Garbage: Furniture, mattresses, carpet
3. Appliances, Electronics, TV's & Monitors, Tires
4. Scrap Metal
5. Tree Limbs & Trimmings

Additional updates will be provided as available.

Disaster Cleanup Safety: Essential Tips to Stay Safe

Avoid Overheating

Emergency Clinics Open in Response to Flood Disaster at Spencer Hospital