DES MOINES, Iowa (Iowa Media Wire) — UPDATE (6/25/2024 @ 4:30 a.m.): Governor Kim Reynolds announced Monday night that President Joe Biden has approved a request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Iowa counties that were affected by the devastating flooding.

This also applies to communities that were affected by storms, flooding, winds, and tornadoes as far back as June 16.

Currently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are currently authorized to provide assistance to Clay, Emmet, Lyon, Plymouth, and Sioux counties. Governor Reynolds stated in her release that she’s working to request support for additional counties.

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The FEMA Public Assistance program has been activated in Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, and Sioux counties. This program assists with emergency work such as removing debris and emergency protective measures.

Residents from the listed counties can apply for assistance from FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. You can also apply online or by using the FEMA app.

Some homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits whose property was impacted by the recent disaster may be eligible to apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the SBA. Some organizations may also be eligible for working capital loans.

Additional information is available by calling 1-800-659-2955 or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications are available on the SBA website.

In areas of Iowa where FEMA has been activated, the Iowa Individual Grant Program will no longer be available. It is recommended that people living in these counties apply for FEMA instead.

(UPDATE 6/24/24 12:05 p.m.) Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has added five more counties to the disaster proclamation in response to the flooding across western Iowa.

According to a release, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, and Pottawattamie Counties will now be covered by the disaster proclamation.

These counties will now have access to recovery resources provided by the state. Additionally, this suspends several regulatory provisions of Iowa Code. These provisions, provided by the office of the governor, are as follows:

  • Temporarily suspends the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code 11-53.11(3) prohibiting pay to those State of Iowa employees for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per workweek while present in the State’s Emergency Operations Center or otherwise engaged in assigned disaster response missions or other activities.  
  • Temporarily suspends the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code Chapter 8A, Iowa Code § 313.10, Iowa Admin. Code chapters 11-117, 11-118 requiring the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the Iowa Department of Transportation, the Iowa Department of Public Safety, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and other state agencies involved in the response to this disaster emergency to procure goods and services through a competitive selection process.  
  • Temporarily suspends the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 321.449 pertaining to hours of service for disaster repair crews and drivers delivering goods and services while responding to disaster sites during the duration of this disaster, subject to conditions listed in Iowa Code § 321.449. 
  • Temporarily suspends regulatory provisions of the Iowa Code that pertain to procurement of goods and services, hours of service for disaster repair crews, and various requirements for the transportation of loads related to disaster repairs.  
  • Allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer (dry, liquid, and gas), and manure (dry and liquid) to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of this proclamation.  This proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa (excluding the interstate system) and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (6) (a) and (b), by more than 12.5 percent, do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges. 

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Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has added Palo Alto County to the list of a disaster emergency proclamation.

There are now 22 northwest Iowa counties covered to help recover from the widespread flooding.

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With the disaster emergency proclamation, state resources will be open to help communities and residents recover from damages related to the severe weather.

Households will also be able to request assistance from the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program allows households grants of up to $5,000 for those with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level. Grants can be used for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Those intending to apply for these grants will need to keep any original receipts. For an application and more information on the grants, click here. Those applying have 45 days to submit a claim.

The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case advocates work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referrals to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation. For information on the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, contact your local community action agency or visit iowacommunityaction.org.    


UPDATE (6/21/2024 @10:12 a.m.): Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has extended a disaster emergency proclamation to 20 more northwest Iowa counties.

The full list now includes Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Floyd, Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sioux, Webster, Winnebago, Woodbury, Worth, and Wright.

This comes as northwest Iowa responds to severe storms and flooding.

PREVIOUS (6/21/2024 @ 8:03 a.m.): Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered a disaster proclamation Saturday morning for Sioux County.

The order comes as much of the county is still responding to Friday’s severe weather and flooding.

With the orders. State resources will be open to help communities and residents recover from damages related to the severe weather.

Households will also be able to request assistance from the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program.

the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program allows households grants of up to $5,000 for those with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level. Grants can be used tof home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Those intending to apply for these grants will need to keep any original receipts. For an application and more information on the grants, click here. Those applying have 45 days to submit a claim.

The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case advocates work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referrals to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation. For information on the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, contact your local community action agency or visit iowacommunityaction.org.