Saturday, February 24, 2007
Governor Culver Issues Emergency Declaration for 58 Iowa Counties
(Washington, DC) Governor Chet Culver has issued an emergency declaration to ensure state resources are available to help local responders and communities respond to the worsening weather situation. Governor Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge are working directly with the Iowa Emergency Operations Center and monitoring the weather situation around the clock.
The emergency declaration is a procedural step that allows state resources to be deployed at no cost to local communities affected by the storm. The declaration covers 58 Iowa counties that fall mainly east of Interstate 35.
"All state resources will be available to help Iowans in need of assistance," Governor Culver stressed. "This is a serious situation and I am confident the planning and training conducted by local and state responders will help Iowans through this storm."
Officials from Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management along with key state agencies -- Transportation, the National Guard, Utilities Board and Public Safety -- have activated the state Emergency Operations Center in Johnston and are coordinating the deployment of state resources.
Power outages could last for several days in parts of the state. Iowans are encouraged to try to contact their local power company if they lose power, or call 911 in the case of an emergency. Given the seriousness of this storm, people should be prepared to shelter in their homes for 48 to 72 hours. Iowans can also contact local emergency management and responders to request assistance.
The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning effective until 6:00 PM Sunday for northeast Iowa and travel is not advised in the state.
COUNTIES COVERED BY THE PROCLAMATION INCLUDE:
ALLAMAKEE, BENTON, BLACK HAWK, BOONE, BREMER, BUCHANAN, BUTLER, CEDAR, CERRO GORDO, CHICKASAW, CLARKE, CLAYTON, CLINTON, DALLAS, DELAWARE, DES MOINES, DUBUQUE, FAYETTE, FLOYD, FRANKLIN, GRUNDY, HAMILTON, HANCOCK, HARDIN, HENRY, HOWARD, HUMBOLDT, IOWA, JACKSON, JASPER, JEFFERSON, JOHNSON, JONES, KEOKUK, KOSSUTH, LINN, LOUISA, LUCAS, MADISON, MAHASKA, MARION, MARSHALL, MITCHELL, MONROE, MUSCATINE, POLK, POWESHIEK, SCOTT, STORY, TAMA, WAPELLO, WARREN, WASHINGTON, WEBSTER, WINNEBAGO, WINNESHIEK, WORTH, WRIGHT