President Obama Approves Disaster Declaration for Six Storm-Damaged Iowa Counties (ContributorNetwork)

This Thursday, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad announced that President Barack Obama approved a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance for the Iowa counties of Benton, Clay, Dickinson, Story, Marshall, and Tama.

All six counties were affected by intense storms, including strong winds and flooding, between July 9 and July 14. According to the Gazette, the storms hit east to central Iowa and winds were so strong in Benton County that it snapped trees and caused down power lines and that on July 11, wind speeds were estimates at about 80 to 90 mph. At one point, over 47,000 Alliant Energy customers were without electricity across the state, which included more than 12,000 in eastern Iowa alone.

Radio Iowa reported that while severe windstorms whipped through Benton, Marshall, Story, and Tama counties, Clay and Dickinson were hit hard by flash flooding. John Benson of the Iowa Emergency Management Division has estimated that the damage done to all six counties is nearly $10.8 million and that the amount could change as more detail assessments are made. The federal funding through the disaster declaration does not help cover any damage to private businesses or homes.

Gov. Branstad spoke about President Obama's decision to declare the six counties as major disaster areas and emphasized what it means for Iowans.

Branstad said, "This declaration by the President will help the impacted cities and counties recover from these disasters. Unfortunately, Iowans have experienced several disasters this summer. I am proud of the way the citizens of Iowa, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division and all state and local agencies have worked together to bring relief to the disaster affected communities. Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and I remain committed to seeking as much aid as possible to assist with the recovery of our communities."

According to a press release from the White House, the Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance is available to states and allows for a cost-sharing basis for emergency recovery, including repairing or replacing local facilities that were damaged in the storms. Gov. Branstad could also request a FEME declaration at a later date if the extent of the damage is assessed and is eligible under FEMA guidelines.

The declaration will provide federal funding, some of which will be matched by state funds, to the six Iowa counties under the Public Assistance Program and that it also enacts long-term federal recovery programs for the affected areas as well. The money will firstly help with tree and debris removal and also help repair or replace public facilities.

Rachel Bogart provides an in-depth look at current environmental issues and local Chicago news stories. As a college student from the Chicago suburbs pursuing two science degrees, she applies her knowledge and passion to both topics to garner further public awareness.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/obama/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20110826/us_ac/9020539_president_obama_approves_disaster_declaration_for_six_stormdamaged_iowa_counties

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