Aerial View Shows Extent Of Flooding
On the ground, we've seen the effects of flooding. Whether it's basements and back ups or levee spillovers and standing water but when you take to the skies you get a whole different perspective.
“I bought this airplane before I could fly it,” Olson said.
For more than 14 years Olson has been taking the skies in the heartland. He admits he gets some of the most beautiful views from his seat.
“Once you get up there everything else changes,” Olson said.
But for the last few months there have been more changes than usual.
“The higher the water got the higher the water backed up into these drainage systems. And back out into the field. And just taking crop and everything into it as it went,” Olson said.
He took us north of Omaha past Epply Airfield. Then over to Council Bluffs along I-29 and up towards Washington, Burke and Harrison counties.
“The current, kinda like a garden hose running across the yard, the longer it runs the more dirt and stuff washes out the roads so it's just faster,” Olson said.
We saw hundreds of miles of farm land underwater. Virtually every home along the banks underwater and downed trees and debris in and along the river.
Flying back to Omaha:
“The more you fly the more damage you see,” Olson said.
Olson brings us back to dry land knowing this isn't the end. Back on the ground, dry ground for that matter, Olson says as the water starts to recedes he expects to get an even better perspective of the devastation. He says what the water leaves behind could be much worse.
