Friday, May 18, 2007
Governor Culver Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration
Governor asks for federal assistance after spring rains and flooding cause substantial damage to property
(Des Moines) - Today Governor Chet Culver sent a letter to President George W. Bush requesting a Presidential Disaster Declaration as a result of flooding and severe weather that affected the south central and western portions of the state that started on May 5th.
The Individual Households Program is being requested for the following 11 counties: Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Ida, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, Shelby, Taylor, and Union. The Individual Households Program would provide Other Needs Assistance, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, and Crisis Counseling, Hazard Mitigation (Statewide), Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Programs, and all appropriate U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance programs. Individual assistance damage assessments for potential eligible expenses under federal programs totaled $1.4 million.
Governor Culver said, “I had the opportunity to see first hand the extensive damaged caused by spring rains. I am asking President Bush to declare sections of south central and western Iowa disaster areas, so that Iowans whose homes sustained major damage can receive federal help.”
In addition, public assistance is being requested for the following 18 counties: Audubon, Cass, Clarke, Crawford, Decatur, Fremont, Harrison, Ida, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Sac, Shelby, Taylor, and Union. The public assistance program is designed to help public organizations rebuild damaged infrastructure that may include roads, bridges, culverts, and other public facilities. Emergency work during the time of the flooding would also be included. Public assistance damage assessments for potential eligible expenses under federal programs totaled $21.6 million.
The Governor is also requesting Hazard Mitigation “Statewide” and Direct Federal Assistance in the form of debris removal.
Additional counties can be added to the Presidential Disaster Declaration request if additional damage reports warrant their addition.