Devastating 18-hour period along State Highway 26 ...

Saturday evening, June 22 at 6:03 p.m., the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center received a report of a mud slide at 2204 State Highway 26, just north of Lansing. A large amount of rocks, mud and tree debris (pictured in the photo above) had come down the hillside due to heavy rain in the area reported at approximately four inches in less than an hour. In the path of the land slide, a large liquid propane (LP) tank was overturned.

As evident in the photo above, a large portion of the driveway was covered with debris. The area gas service provider and electrical service provider were also summoned to the scene. According to a report from the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office, the liquid propane tank was unable to be turned off due to the inaccessibility of the shut-off valve. The scene was determined to be unsafe due to the leaking liquid propane tank, and electrical power to the residential area was turned off. Residents were evacuated from the area. Additional photos and information regarding Saturday’s heavy rains and their impact can be found on Page 13 of the Wednesday, June 26, 2024 edition of The Standard. Subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.

The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office further reports that the following morning, Sunday, June 23 at 9:56 a.m., a house located at that same 2204 State Highway 26 address did explode, being completely destroyed (as evident in the photo below) and also causing some damage to each home beside it. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation as of press time Tuesday morning, June 25 with the State of Iowa Fire Marshal’s Office scheduled to conduct an investigation this Thursday, June 27, according to Allamakee County authorities. Lansing Rural Fire District Chief Stephen Darling released a statement confirming that no individuals were injured in the explosion, further noting that no further comments will be made until the Fire Marshal’s investigation is completed. Assisting at the scene of the incident were the Lansing Fire Department, Lansing Ambulance Service, Lansing Police Department, Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, New Albin Fire and Rescue Department, Harpers Ferry Fire Department, City of Lansing employees and the Iowa Department of Transportation. Photos by Susan Cantine-Maxson.