Governor sets another disaster declaration for county

DES MOINES – Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for Lee and Sioux counties in response to severe weather that occurred beginning Aug. 4. The governor's proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program.   
 The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website at  https://homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.    
 The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious disaster-related needs. Disaster case advocates work with clients to coordinate services and resources to address disaster-related unmet needs, build a recovery plan, and access available resources. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor's proclamation.  To sign up for the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, contact your local Community Action Agency: https://iowacommunityaction.org/find-an-agency/.  
The governor has also requested funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Public Assistance Program for Allamakee, Clayton, Des Moines, Dubuque, Jackson, Lee, and Scott counties for the Mississippi River flooding that occurred from April 24-May 13, 2023.  
Following a joint federal, state, and local damage assessment of the affected counties, it was estimated the flooding caused more than $6 million worth of damage that could be eligible under the Public Assistance program. Funding from this program is used to rebuild damaged infrastructure that may include roads, bridges, culverts and other public facilities, or to cover costs of emergency work during, and debris removal after, severe weather. 
In addition, the governor requested funding to conduct hazard mitigation activities for the entire state.