DES MOINES, Iowa – Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation initially for 43 counties in Iowa on Thursday and several hours later issued another proclamation for six additional counties after a rare December storm system raced through Iowa. The storm produced 11 confirmed tornadoes, hurricane-strength wind gusts measured at over 75 mph, and sustained winds over 40 mph.
The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather. It activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for qualifying residents, along with the Disaster Case Management Program, for the following counties: Allamakee, Appanoose, Audubon, Bremer, Buena Vista, Butler, Calhoun, Cass, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Davis, Emmet, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Greene, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Howard, Humboldt, Ida, Kossuth, Lucas, Madison, Marshall, Mills, Mitchell, Monroe, Montgomery, O’Brien, Page, Pocahontas, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Sac, Shelby, Union, Washington, Webster, Winnebago, Winneshiek, Woodbury, Worth, and Wright.
The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.
The Disaster Case Management Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case managers work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referral to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation. For information on the Disaster Case Management Program, contact your local community action association or visit www.iowacommunityaction.org.
The proclamation also temporarily suspends regulatory provisions of the Iowa Code that pertain to the procurement of goods and services, hours of service for disaster repair crews and various requirements for the transportation of loads related to disaster repairs.
Residents of counties impacted by the recent severe weather are asked to report damage to help local and state officials better understand the damage sustained. In addition, damage to property, roads, utilities, and other storm-related information may be reported. This information will be collected by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and shared with local emergency management agencies. Damage may be reported at www.homelandsecurity.iowa.gov.
