Iowa County Faces Park Damage from Summer Storm

Dubuque County recreation areas face over $600,000 in damage from heavy rains that caused major flooding this summer.

Storms dumped over a foot of rain in late July, flooding basements and roads – and leaving behind a mess in several parks.

KWWL-TV in Waterloo says the damage includes $250,000 at Swiss Valley Park, with washed-out roads, campsites and bridges. Dubuque County Conservation Board executive director Brian Preston says all 10 of the bridges were damaged, if not destroyed.

Other damaged areas include the Heritage Trail, which also has $250,000 in damage.

President Barack Obama declared a major disaster for Dubuque and Jackson counties because of the storms on July 27-29. Preston says the board is in the process of applying for federal disaster aid.