Coastal repair update following June flooding

OKOBOJI, Iowa (KUOO) – Progress is being made toward repairing some severely damaged shorelines in Okoboji following devastating flooding in June.

City Manager Michael Meyers says landscaping permits are in the works to help residents rebuild.

“The city has administratively approved, I think there are six at the moment, emergency permits for lakefront landscaping and work has been underway on that as of this week. We continue to have conversations with property owners and continue to try to get these folks permits to rebuild and rehabilitate their lakeshores as quickly as possible,” Meyers said.

Meyers added that some coastal property owners have noticed minor damage now that water levels have dropped even more due to dry conditions in late summer and early fall.

Meyers says Okoboji continues to work with FEMA to repair some shorelines on Dixon Beach that the city owns.

Meyers noted that coastal repairs at Dixon Beach represent the largest cost incurred by the City of Okoboji as a result of the flooding.

“We are working with FEMA to see if we can get reimbursement to rebuild this shoreline. That's about $100,000 worth of work, and FEMA will reimburse up to 75 percent of that work. We meet weekly with FEMA to try to recoup some of those costs if possible,” Meyers said.

Copyright 2024 KTIV. All rights reserved.