Branstad to appeal FEMA assistance denial for western Iowa flood victims

Gov. Terry Branstad said Friday he intends to appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency's decision to deny Iowa request for activation of FEMA's individual assistance program for Missouri River flood victims in Fremont, Harrison, Monona, Pottawattamie, and Woodbury counties in western Iowa.

“Obviously I am disappointed for the citizens in the impacted counties that my request was denied,” Branstad said in a statement one day after he was notified by FEMA Director Craig Fugate of the federal agency's decision. “However, I intend to appeal this issue with FEMA based on the simple facts that the flood is still occurring and as the waters slowly recede, new damages will be revealed which will have further impacts to Iowans already fighting through this unprecedented flooding event.”

The appeal of the decision by FEMA will be coordinated by the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division. HSEMD Administrator Brigadier General Derek Hill indicated that his division will be working closely with the local emergency management agencies to determine additional damages and impacts caused by the ongoing flood.

“It is incredibly important to the citizens along the Missouri River that we are successful in this appeal,” Hill said in a statement. “The aid provided in the Individual Assistance program is a major piece of the puzzle that is needed to help Iowans recover from this flood.”

The FEMA individual assistance program is made available to homeowners, renters and businesses and can include grants and low interest loans to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other aid programs.