Allamakee County part of federal disaster declaration sought by Iowa Governor and Congressional delegates from June storms

All members of the Iowa congressional delegation have added their support for Iowa Governor Terry Branstad’s recent request for a federal declaration of a major disaster for the state as a result of severe weather that occurred during the period of June 20-25. A letter of support for the declaration was signed by Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, and Representatives Steve King, Dave Loebsack, Rod Blum and David Young.
“The Governor determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments to handle effectively and federal assistance is needed,” the members wrote. Severe weather that produced damaging winds, tornadoes, heavy rains, hail and thunderstorms resulting in flooding impacted 19 counties.
The counties included in the request for Public Assistance include Allamakee, Appanoose, Butler, Clayton, Dallas, Davis, Des Moines, Guthrie, Howard, Jefferson, Lee, Lucas, Marion, Mitchell, Monroe, Warren, Wayne, Winneshiek and Wright.
Governor Branstad had signed a letter July 22 to be delivered to President Barack Obama requesting a Presidential Disaster Declaration for those 19 Iowa counties. The governor requested funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program, which is used to rebuild damaged infrastructure that may include roads, bridges, culverts and other public facilities, or to cover costs of emergency work during, and debris removal after, the storms.
A joint federal, state and local preliminary damage assessment of the 19 counties found the severe weather caused an estimated $5.1 million worth of damage that could be eligible under the Public Assistance Program. Governor Branstad issued a proclamation of disaster emergency June 30 that allowed State resources to be utilized in those counties in response to damage caused by those late June severe storms and flooding.