Flooding did a lot of damage in the Bremer County town of Sumner. An area that just flooded about a year ago.

Most of the homes in the downtown area have flooded basements. The sound of rushing water could be heard all around downtown Sumner today as people pumped as much water as possible out of their basements.

Residents say they've got a long way to go before things get back to normal.

"If you didn't have water in your basement it's amazing," volunteer firefighter Tony Rochford said.

"The church has never been wet before this is the first time the church ever got wet," James Lalk, Deacon of the First Baptist Church said.

People say the area is prone to flooding, but nothing like this one.

"It flooded last August before I moved into the house in November, but it wasn't this bad," Shawn Girdner said.

Shawn Girdner lives in one of the more heavily flooded areas. He left in the morning and came back Saturday afternoon with a boat.

"My girlfriend decided to stay back with the animals and we just got here about 9:30 with a boat," Girdner said.

Just next door to Girdner is the Sumner Light plant which took on a lot of water and shut off power to the community. Crews are working on getting power back. The estimated time is 16-24 hours.

The city and fire department also worked to pump water out of the storm drains and help those in need.

"We're getting generators brought in from people around town just trying to help out sump pumps are coming in people are donating them and letting others use them," Rochford said.

The national weather service says so far between 15 and 18 people evacuated their homes. Those looking for shelter can stay at the chapel at Hillcrest Home.