Governor Chet Culver said today he would ask for a presidential disaster declaration to help areas of the state hit hard by flooding and storms. See the announcement below:
Governor Culver Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration
Assistance for 35 counties being requested, more could followDES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver has asked President Obama to declare 35 Iowa counties federal disaster areas after flooding and storms in recent weeks. During a trip today to flooded areas in Wapello County, the Governor spoke about the presidential request to residents impacted by the floods as well as local government officials. He talked about the state’s response, and how Iowa is working with federal partners to provide much-needed relief for those affected by the storms and flooding.
“I spoke with local officials and residents in Ottumwa and will be headed to Eddyville yet this afternoon, to hear from Iowans being hit by flooding and let them know the state of Iowa stands ready to make assistance available to those who need it,” Governor Culver said Wednesday. “Today I’m asking for a presidential disaster declaration for a total of 35 counties so we can get help to Iowans most impacted by the floods.”
Governor Culver will sign the letter when he gets back from his tour of the flooding this afternoon requesting a presidential disaster declaration be made for 35 unique counties. The signed letter will be forwarded to President Obama requesting he designate these affected areas as a Presidentially Declared Major Disaster. If granted, the state could be eligible for public assistance and individual assistance in the coming weeks.
The following 18 counties are being requested by the Governor for consideration for Individual Assistance: Butler, Cherokee, Clay, Decatur, Emmet, Franklin, Hamilton, Howard, Lee, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Ringgold, Taylor, Union, Warren, Webster and Wright.
The following 32 counties are being requested for Public Assistance: Adams, Appanoose, Audubon, Buena Vista, Butler, Cherokee, Clay, Davis, Decatur, Franklin, Howard, Iowa, Lee, Lyon, Madison, Marion, Mills, Monroe, Montgomery, O’Brien, Osceola, Page, Palo Alto, Ringgold, Shelby, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Wayne, Webster and Wright.
“For the communities not included in these lists, I ask that you continue to document your damages and expenses incurred in responding to the unfortunate events of the last several weeks,” Governor Culver said on Wednesday. “If we are granted a federal disaster declaration, there will be an opportunity to include additional counties with new information and that documented information will be critical to adding more counties.”
Thirty-one counties in Iowa are now eligible for the state’s individual assistance program. They include Buena Vista, Butler, Clay, Davis, Emmet, Hamilton, Howard, Humboldt, Jefferson, Kossuth, Lee, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Van Buren, Webster, Cherokee, Decatur, Franklin, Hancock, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Polk, Ringgold, Sioux, Taylor, Union, Wapello, Warren and Wright.
For more information on the state’s Individual Assistance Program, visit the Department of Human Services’ website (www.dhs.state.ia.us) and click on Storm Help, or call 877-937-3663.