Officials in Rock Valley say they will continue with plans to host this summer’s big bicycle ride across Iowa despite last week’s flood that heavily damaged the northwest Iowa town. Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo says it was not a decision that was taken lightly and any money generated by the RAGBRAI stop will have a distinct purpose — to help residents who were displaced and to repair damaged property.

The Rock River crested last week at Rock Valley some 11 feet over flood stage, breaking records set in the Flood of 1993. At least 150 homes in the town were damaged. The Rock Valley RAGBRAI Committee will make arrangements for housing in the coming weeks, as some of the people who were hosting bicycle riders have seen damage to their properties. Van Otterloo says the recovery is going well, but it’s slow.

The mayor says it was overwhelming to hear from so many mayors and other community leaders from nearby and far away, offering to help in the recovery process, along with the many hundreds of volunteers who showed up.

More volunteers are needed on Saturday to help with the clean-up. Call the Rock Valley city office, or the help line, 712-451-HELP. RAGBRAI kicks off in Rock Valley on Saturday, July 19, with riders leaving to head towards Okoboji on Sunday the 20th.