DES MOINES, Iowa (WHO) — Gov. Kim Reynolds is hoping to get federal help quickly for those Iowans affected by severe weather that caused significant damage in the state on April 26th.
The governor is asking for an expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration to be issued for nine Iowa counties affected by the storms — which spawned multiple tornadoes.
Gov. Reynolds’ request is for Clarke, Crawford, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, and Union counties.
A Presidential Disaster Declaration would provide funding under FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program to help disaster-affected homeowners, renters, and businesses recover.
The declaration would also activate the U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Program. It allows homeowners, renters, businesses, and most nonprofit organizations to apply for low-interest disaster loans if their property was damaged or destroyed in the storms.
Funding to conduct hazard mitigation activities across the state is also being requested.