Press Release Archive
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Governor Culver Announces New Counties Added To Presidential Disaster Declaration
DES MOINES -- Today, Governor Chet Culver announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved 7 new counties for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for individual assistance, and 12 new counties for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for public assistance.
“As Governor, I am committed to doing whatever necessary to help rebuild our state,” said Governor Culver. “As we begin to focus our efforts on disaster recovery, this presidential disaster declaration will help thousands of Iowans get back on their feet. I will continue to do all I can and work with the Federal Government to ensure that all 83 counties I have covered under a Governor’s disaster proclamation will be covered by a Presidential Disaster Declaration. On the long road to recovery, it will take a coordinated effort on the local, state and federal levels, and together, I am confident that we will rebuild the great state of Iowa.”
INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
FEMA approved the following counties for individual assistance: Jasper, Mahaska, Mills, Monona, Chickasaw, Crawford and Warren.
They join the following counties, which were previously covered under a Presidential Disaster Declaration for individual assistance: Allamakee, Des Moines, Fremont, Harrison, Clayton, Adams, Cedar, Jones, Louisa, Muscatine, Polk, Winneshiek, Benton, Bremer, Black Hawk, Butler, Buchanan, Cerro Gordo, Delaware, Fayette, Floyd, Hardin, Johnson, Linn, Marion, Page, Story, Tama and Union.
Individual Assistance allows homeowners, renters, business owners and non-profit organizations to recover from the effects of severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began May 25 and continues.
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
FEMA approved the following counties for Public Assistance: Allamakee, Fayette, Johnson, Jones, Page, Adair Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Madison, Taylor and Webster.
These counties join the following counties, which were previously covered under a Presidential Disaster Declaration for public assistance: Adams, Linn, Winneshiek, Grundy, Howard, Iowa, Marshall, Mitchell, Ringgold, Worth, Wright, Clayton, Black Hawk, Boone, Buchanan, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Crawford, Dallas, Delaware, Dubuque, Floyd, Franklin, Marion, Story, Tama and Union.
Public Assistance funds pay the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities. A series of applicant briefings will be held for local officials to explain the application process.