Articles Tagged: Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Following the deadly July Fourth flash flooding in central Texas, The Gazette spoke with Johnson County Emergency Management Coordinator Dave Wilson about emergency communications and how people can prepare themselves for natural disasters.

The Department of Homeland Security should have raised its arguments sooner, according to a federal judge who in May granted a preliminary injunction the government now is fighting that prevents it from terminating the immigration status of four University of Iowa international students.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds approved the full state standings budget, Senate File 659, Wednesday after emergency response systems officials asked her to veto a provision over concerns it would lead to budget uncertainty for local 911 boards.

A policy provision inserted into a budget bill in the final minutes of the legislative session would allow the state to request reimbursement from local 911 service boards for “reasonable costs.” First responders warn the bill could have unintended consequences.

A federal judge has made more permanent an initial temporary restraining order she issued last month blocking the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from terminating the status of four University of Iowa international students by granting a preliminary injunction through the summation of their case.

Just three days after the filing of a complaint seeking court intervention in the termination of four University of Iowa international students’ F-1 status, a U.S. district judge Thursday granted a temporary restraining order against the government.

A report from the Iowa State Auditor’s Office says city officials from Hamburg, Iowa guided flood relief funds to themselves and family members after the 2019 flooding that devastated the small community.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and state agency leaders provided updates on government efforts to assist Iowans whose homes have been damaged by or last to natural disasters over the past few months.

Also: State Auditor releases schedule of upcoming town hall forums

Belle Plaine is scraping the bottom of its water reserves and is searching for reprieve and solutions. It’s not the only Iowa town suffering amid the record drought.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said his office and law enforcement agencies are working together to ensure Iowans’ votes will be safe and counted accurately

Action comes after weaknesses identified in 2020 derecho response

The federal government will cover a larger share of the cost for disasters that occurred in 2020 and 2021, a move that will save Iowa communities millions on 2020 derecho recovery expenses.

A 27-page post-derecho review released this week by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management says the breakdown in communication among local and state officials during and after the storm caused consequences, such as full debris trucks showing up at closed landfills and aid agencies ordering meals that weren’t expected.

After more than a year of emergencies, Iowa hospitals are reflecting on lessons learned from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other concurrent events, including the derecho.