(Des Moines) Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says the Derecho that swept through Iowa on Monday impacted millions of Iowa crop acres. The Governor says although it will take days or weeks to assess the full scope of the damage, initial reports are significant.
“This morning a farmer reached out to me and stated this is the worst wind damage to crops and farm buildings that he has ever seen across the state in such a wide area,” said Reynolds. “Early estimates indicate 10-million crop acres have been impacted by the storm.”
Gov. Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster proclamation in response to the devastating storm which allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather in Boone, Clinton, Dallas, Johnson, Marshall, and Story counties. The proclamation also activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for qualifying residents, along with the Disaster Case Management Program, for Dallas, Johnson, Marshall, and Story counties.
The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level or a maximum annual salary of $43,440 for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.
Besides, the proclamation temporarily suspends regulatory provisions about weight limits and hours of service for disaster repair crews and drivers delivering goods and services and the movement of loads related to responding to the severe storm system throughout the state of Iowa.
Iowa residents of counties impacted by the recent severe weather are asked to report the damage to help local and state officials better understand the damage sustained. Damage to property, roads, utilities, and other storm-related information may be communicated. This information will be collected by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and shared with local emergency management agencies.
Proclamations may be issued for additional counties.
