Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Governor Culver Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration For August Floods
(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 north central and south central portions of the state that started on August 17.
The Individual Households Program is being requested for the following 14 counties: Allamakee, Appanoose, Boone, Calhoun, Clarke, Davis, Humboldt, Mahaska, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Van Buren, Wapello, Wayne, and Webster. 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 $3.1 million.
“I had the opportunity to see first hand the extensive damaged caused by the heavy rains we experienced in August,” said Governor Culver. “I am asking President Bush to declare sections of northern and southern Iowa disaster areas, so that Iowans whose homes sustained major damage can receive federal assistance.”
In addition, public assistance is being requested for the following 14 counties: Allamakee, Appanoose, Boone, Calhoun, Cherokee, Davis, Humboldt, Mahaska, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Van Buren, Wapello, Wayne, and Webster. 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 $7.6 million.
The Governor is also requesting Hazard Mitigation “Statewide” and Direct Federal Assistance in the form of debris removal.
Please note that the above damage assessments are preliminary estimates for damages that would be covered by federal programs should Iowa receive a Presidential Declaration. Actual damages are probably much higher. Additional counties can be added to the Presidential Disaster Declaration request if additional damage reports warrant their addition.
In August, Governor Culver declared 13 counties as state disaster areas: Davis, Mahaska, Wayne, Van Buren, Boone, Humboldt, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Webster, Calhoun, Cherokee, Appanoose and Wapello.
The emergency declaration is a procedural step that allows state resources to be deployed to local communities affected by the storm.
The proclamation automatically triggers Iowa's new individual disaster assistance program for people with low incomes. Iowans with household incomes of up to 130 percent of federal poverty guidelines may apply for a grant of up to $3,300 to help recover from flood damage. The governor emphasized that this is a reimbursement program, meaning that applicants must include receipts when applying for help.
The grant application and step-by-step instructions on how to fill it out are found on the front page of the Department of Human Services website: dhs.iowa.gov. Look for the words "Summer Storm Help.” Or individuals can call toll-free (877) 937-3663 to find out more.