It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Historic Prairie Creek Covered Bridge in Prairie Creek, IN gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Prairie Creek, IN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“best people at there”
“Great staff!! Caring people!”
“I think it’s one of the best companies there’s always someone ready and willing to go help people with great attitudes! Anyone that wants to live at home but needs a little extra help should definitely get someone from this company at your home to help out!”
“Working for Always Best Care has been very rewarding for me to help others in need. Whatever my questions may be or any help I need as a health care provider for my client they have always came through with help.”
“Very compassionate caregivers!”
“Great staff. Well trained and kind people.”
“The Beache’s Family are great people and I would trust my mom’s well- bean in their hands”
“Natalia has experience taking care of people with Alzheimer and I would be very trust my dad’s safety if they taking care of him.”
“They offer a wide range of services with professional, organized individuals willing to help care for members of your family.”
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“Mr. and Mrs. Beach are the owners of this location, and they are some of the most caring and dedicated people I have ever met. They truly want to help people get the best care for their loved ones. My grandmother would have loved to have care like this.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Prairie Creek Park Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department in Prairie Creek, IN with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Stone Creek Dining Company Plainfield, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Prairie Creek, IN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Prairie Creek, IN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Prairie Creek, IN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Prairie Creek Public Library in Dwight has announced a series of events for October and November. The programs are free and open to the public, with some requiring reservations due to limited space.According to a community announcement, the events cater to various age groups and interests.Oct. 22: “I’ve Been to Dwight”"I’ve Been to Dwight" will be presented by Patti Drechsel at 6 p.m. on, Oct. 22. The program will explore the history of the Keeley Institute, which operated from 1879 to...
Prairie Creek Public Library in Dwight has announced a series of events for October and November. The programs are free and open to the public, with some requiring reservations due to limited space.
According to a community announcement, the events cater to various age groups and interests.
"I’ve Been to Dwight" will be presented by Patti Drechsel at 6 p.m. on, Oct. 22. The program will explore the history of the Keeley Institute, which operated from 1879 to 1966 and treated thousands of patients for addiction.
The Haunted Library returns from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 25. Participants can sign up for 15-minute timeslots to hear ghost stories and tour the library, which will be set up as a haunted house. Older children are welcome at parents’ discretion.
The Shelf Indulgence Book Discussion Group will meet at 10 a.m. on Oct. 28, to discuss "Her Hidden Genius" by Marie Benedict. Adults are welcome to join, and copies of the book are available for borrowing at the circulation desk.
At 6 p.m. on Nov. 3, Todd Hunt will present "The Making of 'I Love Lucy.'" The program will feature slides, audio and video clips to reveal how the classic television show was created.
The Cook the Books Cookbook Club will meet at 6 p.m. on Nov. 4. Participants will try out holiday appetizers and dips, and the club now allows members to bring old family recipes to share.
Crafting Mocktails will be presented at 6 p.m. on Nov. 5. Attendees will learn to create four different mocktails and taste test them. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
The Dwight Area Quilters and Fiber Artists will meet from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Nov. 6. This group is open to all adults, and participants can come and go as their schedules allow.
Candle Making will take place at 6 p.m. on Nov. 6. Local candle maker Michelle Wright will lead the group in creating a simple pour candle. This craft is for adults only.
Anne Shaw Heinrich will host a book reading and signing at 11 a.m. on Nov. 8. Heinrich will read from her latest book, discuss her book series, answer questions and sign books. Some proceeds will benefit Safe Journeys, a nonprofit supporting victims of abuse.
S’more Senior Fun will meet at 1 p.m. on Nov. 12. This social event for seniors will include indoor s’more making and games.
At 6 p.m. on Nov. 12, author and historian William Hazelgrove will present "The Last Charge of the Rough Rider." The program will cover the final years of Teddy Roosevelt’s life, including the loss of his son Quentin in World War I.
An Olive Oil Tasting will be held at 6 p.m. on Nov. 13. The Olive Bin will offer a variety of olive oil flavors and discuss which flavors pair best with certain dishes.
To register for any of these programs, call 815-584-3061.
This story was created by reporter Abreanna Blose,, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at.
Last Saturday, the California Department of Parks and Recreation unveiled a new mosaic sculpture — a life-size 225-pound representation of a bull Roosevelt elk featuring 138 depictions of unique habitat types, native plants, animals and fungi wrought in hand-cut glass tile by Humboldt County artist Jennifer a’Midi.“Prairie Creek is, for me, all about the elk … They’re so majestic and beautiful,” a’Midi told the assembled crowd at a ceremony held at the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visito...
Last Saturday, the California Department of Parks and Recreation unveiled a new mosaic sculpture — a life-size 225-pound representation of a bull Roosevelt elk featuring 138 depictions of unique habitat types, native plants, animals and fungi wrought in hand-cut glass tile by Humboldt County artist Jennifer a’Midi.
“Prairie Creek is, for me, all about the elk … They’re so majestic and beautiful,” a’Midi told the assembled crowd at a ceremony held at the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor Center near Orick.
District Superintendent Victor Bjelajac told those gathered that a’Midi’s sculpture was the fourth mosaic project that she had undertaken with State Parks, with other sculptures appearing at Richardson Grove, Humboldt Redwoods and Grizzly Creek state parks.
“The attention to detail and research of all the species that are represented in each one of these parks is spectacular,” Bjelajac told a’Midi during a brief speech. “The artisan work that you do is incredible. What you’re doing as a public service, because you want to, is incredible.”
Bjelajac thanked the Redwood Parks Conservancy (RPC) and the Humboldt Redwoods and the Humboldt Redwoods interpretive association for their ongoing support, and a’Midi also thanked Humboldt Redwoods State and National Parks.
“I have a passion for this. I live in Humboldt Redwoods surrounded by (these species) … on the south fork of the Eel River, and … I wanted to give back to the parks,” a’Midi said. “Both my daughters work for the parks. One summer, I worked for the parks. And I’m hoping these art pieces will inspire conservation, preservation of our forest and all its creatures and maybe inspire some art …”
A’Midi explained and briefly demonstrated her process in adorning the life-size fiberglass museum-quality cast of an elk with thousands of pieces of hand-cut glass. She said that the process took roughly a year and noted that the Yurok Tribal Council will be voting on a name for the elk sculpture in the ensuing weeks.
A’Midi also announced that her next project with State Parks would be a black bear sculpture for the Sue-meg State Park Visitor Center just outside Trinidad.
Robert Schaulis can be reached at 707-441-0585.
File Photo/The Daily StandardCELINA - Upgrades to the Prairie Creek treatment train are on their way, as the Grand Lake St. Marys Facilities Authority set a date next month to open bids for the project.In a resolution passed at their regular meeting on Tuesday, commissioners from Auglaize and Mercer counties set Oct. 23 as the day they will open the bids.The planned work includes the expansion of settling ponds along the proposed inlet modifications at the Prairie Creek treatment train, which will ease issues with the pu...
File Photo/The Daily Standard
CELINA - Upgrades to the Prairie Creek treatment train are on their way, as the Grand Lake St. Marys Facilities Authority set a date next month to open bids for the project.
In a resolution passed at their regular meeting on Tuesday, commissioners from Auglaize and Mercer counties set Oct. 23 as the day they will open the bids.
The planned work includes the expansion of settling ponds along the proposed inlet modifications at the Prairie Creek treatment train, which will ease issues with the pump rates at the property. The pump rates have continuously gotten lower over the years, and crews have had to repeatedly rebuild the pumps, which has become costly over time.
The Prairie Creek property includes roughly 30 acres of constructed wetlands, 70 acres of forested wetlands and 100 acres of littoral (shoreline) wetlands. It's located on the south side of the lake on State Route 219, east of the Aqua View Estates subdivision, and was Grand Lake's first treatment train, built in 2012.
"Some lessons were learned on this," Mercer County agriculture and natural resource director Theresa Dirksen said. "You'll notice on newer projects, we do have deeper settling cells at the start because we found out that that worked a lot better."
When the project was proposed in early spring, Dirksen estimated the cost at about $40,000. Funding will come from leftover money from the Mercer Wildlife Area H2Ohio grant agreement.
Also on Tuesday, commissioners heard from Dirksen that it's unclear if her funding request to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' H2Ohio staff for the construction of wetlands at the Harmon Preservation Project will be approved.
"I had a quick conversation with an ODNR employee at a meeting a few weeks ago, and she said they've kind of allotted where the money's going for this year, but she never said (whether that included Dirksen's request). I kind of got the impression that they may not be funding it, but I don't know that for sure," she said. "I need an official answer."
If the ODNR funding falls through, Dirksen said she can always apply for Clean Ohio funds, which would cover up to 75% of the total project costs, then supplement the rest with federal 319 grant money. Going that route would delay the project for around a year, she noted.
The group hopes to construct a wetland on the nearly 52-acre property's farm field area, and to maintain its wooded area and wooded wetland area. The Auglaize County property will also feature a passive walking path and a small parking lot for public access. Dirksen estimated the project would cost around $1.3-$1.5 million.
The property, purchased for $1.49 million this year, is situated along Koehn Road within St. Marys Township.
Commissioners also approved the treasurer's report on Tuesday. The current unexpended fund balance is $1,606,190.02. The year-to-date revenue is $1,640,960.34 and the year-to-date expenses are $1,774,222.96.
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The LFA board tentatively meets next at 11 a.m. Oct. 28 in the Mercer County Commissioners office, located at the Central Services Building, 220 W. Livingston St., Celina.
A group of mountain bikers found Wayment on a "a remote trail in Camas County" 17.3 miles from the Prairie Creek trailhead, her last known location, Blaine County Sheriff Morgan Ballis announced at roughly 8:30 p.m. Thursday.Wayment shared her name with the mountain bikers, who called 911 using a satellite phone, guided a Life Flight crew to her and stayed with her "offering aid until medical assistance could arrive," Ballis said."Due to the remote location, significant logistics were involved in rescui...
A group of mountain bikers found Wayment on a "a remote trail in Camas County" 17.3 miles from the Prairie Creek trailhead, her last known location, Blaine County Sheriff Morgan Ballis announced at roughly 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
Wayment shared her name with the mountain bikers, who called 911 using a satellite phone, guided a Life Flight crew to her and stayed with her "offering aid until medical assistance could arrive," Ballis said.
"Due to the remote location, significant logistics were involved in rescuing Heather from her discovered location," Ballis said. "The air ambulance was on scene by 4:20 p.m., and Heather was transported by Life Flight 76 at approximately 5:45 p.m. with unknown injuries to St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise, Idaho."
Ballis thanked Sheriff's Office deputies for their work over the course of the two-day search for Wayment. He also thanked the mountain bikers and the members of the Camas County Sheriff's Office, Blaine County Search & Rescue, Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue, Snake River Search and Rescue, Blaine County Emergency Communications, Life Flight 76 in addition to everyone who shared information to help the agencies locate Wayment.
Thursday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m.:
Area law enforcement and search and rescue organizations on Wednesday launched a search for a missing hiker in the Prairie Creek trailhead area.
Heather Wayment, 46, last had contact with her family Tuesday morning, Blaine County Sheriff Morgan Ballis said in a news release announcing the search and providing a photo of Wayment. County license plate readers on Tuesday afternoon recorded Wayment’s car traveling north on state Highway 75.
Wayment’s car was found at the Prairie Creek trailhead, roughly 18 miles north of Ketchum off Highway 75, after her family reported her missing Wednesday morning, Ballis said. Blaine County Search & Rescue crew members were deployed at roughly 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. The search paused Wednesday night before resuming Thursday morning.
Two other regional search and rescue teams had joined the efforts to locate Wayment as of press time Thursday. The operation has included searchers on foot, mountain bike and horseback in addition to the use of drones and helicopters, Ballis said.
The Sheriff’s Office has asked the public to stay away from the Prairie Creek area so as not to interfere with the search and rescue operation.
Anyone with helpful information or who spent time in the Prairie Creek area on Tuesday or Wednesday should call the Sheriff’s Office at 208-788-5555, Ballis said. ?
Flooding is a growing issue for communities across the United States. And the challenge is not just coastal. In recent years, inland communities that sit near rivers and waterways have experienced more frequent and intense flood events, causing infrastructure damage, social disruptions and economic losses. Much of this can be attributed to the increases in precipitation combined with declines in watershed health of the surrounding lands due to development and agricultural use.Take for example the communities along the Mississippi Rive...
Flooding is a growing issue for communities across the United States. And the challenge is not just coastal. In recent years, inland communities that sit near rivers and waterways have experienced more frequent and intense flood events, causing infrastructure damage, social disruptions and economic losses. Much of this can be attributed to the increases in precipitation combined with declines in watershed health of the surrounding lands due to development and agricultural use.
Take for example the communities along the Mississippi River or one of the interconnected waterways in its river system. These rivers and streams support good-paying jobs, economic vitality and community for millions of people. Yet, the proximity to the rivers and streams also mean high challenges with flooding. Cities like Cedar Rapids, Omaha and Fremont and more have experienced devastating flood events when extreme rainfall struck the area.
On top of this, precipitation in the region is increasing. Over the last half century, the average annual rainfall in most of the Midwest has increased by 5 to 10%. Future rainfall predictions show an added 5-11% increase in flooding (flood inundation) in certain watersheds. Bigger storms mean more people, homes, businesses and public infrastructure are at economic risk.
Leaders across the Midwest and in other parts of the U.S. are doing critical work to reduce flood risk from extreme weather events. A great example is the city of Cedar Rapids, who has made tremendous progress to reduce their flood risk after the deluge of 2008. Yet more work is needed to protect all communities, especially those in low-income areas. As leaders work to build resilience in their communities to withstand more frequent and intense storms and the subsequent higher flood risks, many may want to consider how working with nature can be complementary to engineered solutions.
Natural infrastructure solutions offer tremendous flood benefits. While these solutions have mostly been considered for their water quality and habitat restoration benefits, many natural infrastructure measures mimic and enhance natural water storage capabilities and reduce runoff upstream, effectively mitigating flooding downstream.
To better quantify the flood benefits of natural infrastructure solutions, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) recently completed a new study that examines a single watershed in the Mississippi River Basin, looking at present and future storm conditions and how natural infrastructure would reduce flooding from these storms. The Prairie Creek watershed sits just south of Cedar Rapids, Iowa with its headwaters running through primarily rural agricultural land and the river’s outlet passing through a more urbanized area. The rural upstream region presents many potential locations to implement natural infrastructure practices that store water.
Using publicly available data, the report looks at major storms of varying levels (i.e., 10-, 25-, 50-, 100-, and 500-year storms) in present (2024) and future conditions (in years 2036-2065) and models the flood impact scenarios in downstream communities with and without natural infrastructure implemented across the watershed area at varying degrees of scale: 2.5% (3,423 acres), 5% (6,846 acres), 10% (13,691 acres) and 17.2% (23,627 acres) of the landscape. The report further uses a publicly available economic flood damage estimation tool called Hazus to calculate the net value of avoided losses when natural infrastructure practices were implemented at these different scenarios.
Natural Infrastructure (NI) Solutions That Can Reduce Flood Risk:
The majority of the land in the Prairie Creek Watershed is privately owned agricultural land, which mirrors the ownership make-up of land across the larger Basin. Given agriculture’s importance in the region, EDF looked specifically at natural infrastructure measures that do not require a large swath of cropland conversion, but rather can be implemented on marginal land while producing great environmental benefit. These natural infrastructure measures include:
Report Findings
The study found that implementing natural infrastructure solutions in upland areas exhibit quantifiable effectiveness in reducing flooding in downstream communities in both present day and future storm scenarios.
The good news is, across the Mississippi River Basin, the studied natural infrastructure measures are already being implemented by leaders in the agricultural community to address water quality needs. This report showcases that these solutions offer expanded benefits, in the form of flood reduction. Leaders can consider how they can increase funding opportunities for these natural infrastructure solutions as well as coordinate implementation efforts in key watersheds where scale would be beneficial for flood reduction needs.
View the full report HERE.
View the executive summary HERE.
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