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Reynolds requests presidential disaster declaration for seven Iowa counties
DES MOINES - Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting a presidential disaster declaration for seven Iowa counties significantly damaged by severe storms and flooding last month.
Counties included in the request are Allamakee, Bremer, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette and Mitchell.
The governor requested funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Assistance Program for storm damage that occurred in Iowa July 19-23. The money would be used to rebuild damaged infrastructure including roads, bridges, culverts and other public facilities or to cover costs of emergency work during and debris removal after the storms.
Following a joint federal, state and local preliminary damage assessment of the seven counties, it was estimated the severe weather caused nearly $7 million in damages that could be eligible under the Public Assistance Program.
Reynolds also requested funding to conduct hazard mitigation activities for the entire state.
A truck buried beneath bricks where a historic building once stood in downtown McGregor on July 20, 2017, after an EF1 tornado ripped through the tourist town the night before. (Liz Zabel/The Gazette)
Downed trees and other debris litter the streets of downtown McGregor on Thursday, July 20, after an EF1 tornado ripped through the town the night before. (Liz Zabel/The Gazette)
Bricks from a historic building remain on crushed cars parked in the street in downtown McGregor on July 20, after an EF1 tornado ripped through the tourist town the night before. (Liz Zabel/The Gazette)
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