Austin police, the Mower County Sheriff’s Department and others responded to the flooding crisis with no hesitation Thursday, notifying residents in danger of flooding as early as 3 a.m. Some were rescued to safety via boat, and others were eventually even evacuated.

The Mower County Chapter of the American Red Cross provided aid to flood victims, and reported after an assessment Friday 66 homes affected by flooding.

Everything possible was done in a remarkable effort by not only officials but those chipping in to sandbag buildings and neighbors’ homes.

Instead of being quick to point fingers, we should be grateful for what flood mitigation has been completed thus far; the damage could have been much worse.