Iowa governor requests presidential disaster declaration after Tuesday's tornadoes

Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday requested an expedited presidential disaster declaration for four Iowa counties that suffered damage from this week’s severe storms and tornadoes, which killed five people.

The tornadoes that tracked across much of the state Tuesday left severe damage in Southwest Iowa’s Greenfield, where four were killed and at least 35 were injured.

A fifth person was killed Tuesday about 25 miles from Greenfield when her car was blown off the road in a tornado, according to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. Monica Zamarron, 46, died Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

The governor’s request covers Adair, Polk, Story and Montgomery counties. The letter requests activation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Individual Assistance Program and the U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan program for all four counties. Reynolds also requested activation of FEMA’s Public Assistance Program for Adair County, which includes Greenfield.

More counties may be added once the request is approved, Reynolds’ office said.

Approval would open up the FEMA Individual Assistance Program and other aid for residents of those counties who lost property or income from the storm. The program provides households and businesses with housing assistance, property replacement and other aid. It does not cover any losses that are covered by insurance.

The FEMA Public Assistance Program would provide grants to state and local governments, as well as some nonprofits to assist in cleanup and recovery.

On Wednesday, the National Weather Service confirmed damage consistent with an EF-3 tornado in Greenfield. EF-3 damage equates to winds between 136 and 165 mph. The assessment is subject to change, the agency said.

The agency also confirmed a tornado that struck Polk and Story counties was an EF-2 tornado, with winds reaching up to 135 mph.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell will be in Greenfield on Thursday to survey the damage. Reynolds and Criswell held a news conference at 11:15 a.m.

Tuesday’s severe weather comes about a month after several tornadoes struck Iowa in April, leading to severe damage in Minden and killing one person. President Joe Biden approved a federal disaster declaration for those counties last week.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.