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Capitol Notebook: Iowa Gov. Reynolds issues disaster proclamation for more counties
Also, Attorney General urges Iowans to watch out for ticket scams ahead of Iowa State Fair
Jul. 31, 2025 5:39 pm
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Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued disaster proclamations Thursday and Wednesday for more counties in response to severe weather and flooding that hit Iowa this July.
Reynolds on Thursday issued disaster proclamations for Hancock and Plymouth Counties due to severe weather and flooding on July 17 and July 28, respectively. The proclamations allow state resources to help with recovery and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for both counties.
The program is available to households with income up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level and provides grants up to $7,000 to provide reimbursement for home or car repairs, property or food replacement, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery.
The proclamations also activate the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, in which case advocates work with impacted residents to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice and referrals to obtain services or resources, according to the governor’s office. There is no income threshold for the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, and it remains available for 180 days after the proclamation.
The proclamations are effective immediately and will remain in effect for 30 days, unless terminated or extended, according to Reynolds’ office.
Reynolds on Wednesday also issued a disaster proclamation for Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Clay, Dickinson, Lyon, Palo Alto, and Worth Counties due to severe weather that started on July 28. This allows the use of state resources for recovery efforts and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program in these counties. The proclamation is effective immediately and lasts until Aug. 29.
More information on both programs, including an application for the grant program, can be found on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website, homelandsecurity.iowa.gov.
Iowa DNR urges caution as Iowans clean up storm-damage
State forestry experts are advising Iowans to be cautious while cleaning up storm-damaged trees from recent storms in northwest Iowa.
Emma Hanigan, urban forestry coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, recommends homeowners and volunteers wear safety equipment, including hand, foot, leg, eye, face, hearing and head protection, and avoid wearing loose-fitting clothes while using a chainsaw.
“Be careful when working with trees and limbs that are snapped off, twisted and tangled together,” Hanigan said in a news release. “The trunk or tree limbs may bind against the chainsaw.”
If an oak tree is damaged, homeowners should treat the wounds immediately with acrylic paint to prevent oak wilt. After cleanup, Hanigan advises hiring a professional, insured arborist to examine trees for cracks or other issues that might have been overlooked. Routine tree care decreases the likelihood of storm-related damage, according to the Iowa DNR, and homeowners are encouraged to replant lost trees when appropriate.
Resources and tips for homeowners to prepare and respond quickly and safely after storm events can be found at www.iowadnr.gov/treedisaster.
Iowa AG warns of ticket scams ahead of Iowa State Fair
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is urging Iowans to be careful when buying tickets ahead the Iowa State Fair Aug. 7-17.
The rise of digital ticket sales increases the risk of scams, Bird warns, with fraudsters selling fake or duplicated tickets.
The Iowa AG’s office recommends avoid purchasing tickets from third-party sources like social media and using payment methods such as gift cards or peer-to-peer payment apps such as Venmo or ApplePay, which can lead to scams.
To protect oneself, Bird encourages Iowans buy tickets directly from venues, check website addresses for trusted sites such as Ticketmaster or StubHub, and use secure payment methods such as credit cards.
Those who think they have been targeted by a ticket scam, can contact the Iowa Attorney General’s Office at 888-777-4590 or file a complaint online at https://bit.ly/4mq0uNF.
Straw Poll returns to Iowa State Fair
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced the return of the Iowa State Fair Straw Poll for its 10th year. The poll allows fairgoers to vote unofficially for their preferred candidates in the upcoming 2026 primary election, including those for governor, Congress and U.S. Senate. The straw poll is part of efforts by Pate to encourage voter registration and participation among eligible Iowans.
Live results of the poll can be found on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website. Visitors to the Iowa Secretary of State’s booth at the Varied Industries Building can participate in the straw poll via a tablet and receive information on registering to vote, updating voter registration, and the office’s business services.
In past years, the poll has closely mirrored the official election results.
Additionally, this year the booth will feature partners involved in combating human trafficking, disability rights, youth initiatives and veteran groups.
“It’s great to be able to administer the straw poll at the fair because it gives us the opportunity to connect with Iowans and talk about the importance of voter registration and participation," Pate said in a statement. "Of course, since the straw poll typically matches official election results, it’s also exciting to get a preview of how Iowans are feeling heading into the next election."
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