Pictured: Flooding near Hawarden. Image shared by Sioux County Sheriff’s Office.
Gov. Kim Reynolds has requested an expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration for Iowa counties impacted by severe storms and widespread flooding that began on June 21. The request aims to activate the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans for nine counties: Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, and Sioux. Additionally, Reynolds has requested the activation of FEMA’s Public Assistance Program for twenty-two counties, including Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Floyd, Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sioux, Webster, Winnebago, Woodbury, Worth, and Wright. FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program provides disaster-affected homeowners, renters, and businesses with housing, personal property replacement, medical expenses, and legal services. The SBA Disaster Loan Program offers low-interest loans for property damage. FEMA’s Public Assistance program funds infrastructure rebuilding and emergency work costs. Reynolds also requested funding for statewide hazard mitigation activities. The flooding is a result of recent heavy rainfall in northwest Iowa, as well as Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Her letter in its entirety is included with this story on our website.
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