The Republican Party of Iowa has announced it is postponing its state convention, scheduled for this Saturday, until July 11 and 12.“As of today, 54 Iowa counties have been declared a disaster area and the Des Moines River is expected to crest this weekend,” said state Republican Chairman Stewart Iverson. “Our thoughts and prayers are with our fellow Iowans who are suffering and we encourage all of our delegates to check on their neighbors and help in any way possible.”

Caleb Hunter, executive director of the Iowa GOP, said the party is working with former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who both were scheduled to speak at the convention, to try to work something out to allow them to return to Iowa in July.

The decision follows the announcement earlier this afternoon that the Iowa Democratic Party had postponed their convention to an unknown date. An announcement is expected in the coming days on a new date.

Most expected the GOP convention to be postponed, as the site of the gathering, Hy-Vee Hall, sits just one block west of the Des Moines River, which is expected to crest on Saturday morning at a record level.

Unlike the Democrats, which have to request an extension to the June 21 deadline for submitting delegates to the national convention, Republican delegates do not need to be certified by the Republican National Committee until August.

The GOP is expecting about 1,700 delegates from all over the state at their convention.