Operation Mighty Mo 2011 has forever changed Siouxland history, and in some case the landscape of our communities. But there's one thing floodwater never threatened: the spirit of hundreds, if not thousands, of Hometown Heroes.
"We in South Dakota are faced with a very significant challenge here, but I have great confidence in South Dakotans," said Governor Dennis Daugaard. And nearly 60 days later, not only South Dakotans, but Iowans and Nebraskans as well, have met that challenge and have earned that vote of confidence.
On day one, the volunteers came faster than the water. Across Siouxland, sandbagging became second nature. All in all, a quarter million sandbags were filled in Sioux City alone by families, students and the many other hands trying to make light work.
Also on the front lines were National Guard soldiers, on the ground and in the air. For days, folks in the Dunes heard the hover of Hueys hauling flood protection. On foot, there were 200 more guard members on a mission.
Go, go, go was the motto driving the massive levee building efforts, where truck drivers had to push hard all the time. A nearly non–stop project during the most intense hours of the flood fight, where hundreds of Tristate truck drivers just hoped to make a difference.
Though forced from their homes, even those in the evacuation zones focused on the future, thanks to the help of countless Hometown Heroes.
