(Des Moines) Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has extended a disaster emergency proclamation to an additional 20 counties in northwest Iowa in response to severe storms and flooding on June 21.
According to the press release, Gov. Kim Reynolds extended a disaster emergency proclamation to cover these affected areas to address the impact of this severe weather. The 21 total counties include Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Floyd, Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sioux, Webster, Winnebago, Woodbury, Worth, and Wright.
As a response, the governor’s proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program, making state resources available for recovery efforts. The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program offers grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. It covers home or car repairs, clothing or food replacement, and temporary housing.
Original receipts are required for seeking reimbursement, and the grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website: https://homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance. Applicants have 45 days from the proclamation date to submit a claim. Moreover, the Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious needs from disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. This program does not have income eligibility requirements and provides support for 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation.
Individuals can contact their local community action agency or visit iowacommunityaction.org for more information.