A Wing and A Prayer - Olivia Sun

Flooding in Mills county reached almost a foot over its flood crest in May 2019 after storms early in the week.

A Wing and A Prayer

HAMBURG, Ia. — A five-foot levee in the 1,110-resident town of Hamburg could withhold up to 22 feet of the Missouri River, but in June, eleven residents added 3 more feet, all by hand.

"They're heroes," said mayor Cathy Crain. "When the shit hits the fan, you can count on them to come through and save the town. This is their town." Water remained over 22 feet for days, following a spring in 2019 of historically damaging floods that ousted dozens.

”We’re on a wing and a prayer,” said Alan Dovel, Hamburg's public works director.

Steve "Turk" Kamman sits for a portrait at Hamburg Oil Company, which he owns with his wife, Pat. Up to thirty local businesses were driven out by high waters earlier this year, some with no plans to return.

Flooding in Mills county reached almost a foot over its flood crest in May 2019 after storms early in the week.

Many homes in Hamburg remain unsafe to occupy, with the spring's major flooding posing risks of abrasions, food contamination and mold exposure.

Hamburg residents receive donated meals from a Salvation Army emergency relief truck. Following major floods last spring, no operating restaurants remain in Hamburg other than a convenience and drug store, leaving most to travel to Shenandoah, 25 miles northeast, for groceries.

Hamburg mayor Cathy Crain and Hamburg Public Works director Alan Dovel discuss maps of anticipated flood levels in May 2019. Waters were expected to crest to almost 23 feet.

Sandbags line Washington Street in Hamburg, Iowa on May 30, 2019.

Debbie Reeves, 64, has worked as Hamburg's Stoner Drug Company's bookkeeper for decades. The drugstore reopened for business just two days prior. Up to thirty local businesses were driven out by high waters earlier this year, some with no plans to return.

Sandbags are seen outside Stoner Drug Co. in Hamburg, Ia. Stoner Drug, which reopened two days prior, is one of fewer than 10 businesses currently open in Hamburg. Up to thirty local businesses were driven out by high waters earlier this year, some with no plans to return.

Many homes in Hamburg remain unsafe to occupy, with the spring's major flooding posing risks of abrasions, food contamination and mold exposure.

Chris Bennett, 70, has been a resident of Hamburg since 1973 and has worked at Stoner Drug Co. for over 40 years. Bennett ran a flower shop before it was destroyed by the March floods.

Water seepage is seen at the edge of the Hamburg levee in May 2019. Residents added 3 feet onto the structure earlier in the week.