Iowa Delegation asks Trump to approve federal disaster declaration request

Iowa Congressman David Young and the entire Iowa congressional delegation sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting he "expeditiously approve" Governor Kim Reynolds' request for a declaration of a major disaster for the State of Iowa as a result of severe weather throughout June and into July. 

“Governor Reynolds determined this incident is of such severity and magnitude that an effective response and support is beyond the resources and capabilities of the State and affected local governments and that supplementary federal assistance is needed,” the delegation wrote in the letter. "We stand united as a federal delegation with State and local officials - and those resilient Iowans who suffered from these fierce and consequential storms - in working with you and your administration to help expedite this much needed assistance."

A presidential declaration of a major disaster is necessary to trigger release of federal funds for assistance.

Since the flooding in the Des Moines Metro Area on June 30, Congressman Young has been continually engaged with local, state, and federal officials to monitor the recovery effort. He toured the storm damage with Governor Reynolds on July 2 and has spent time with local officials to learn about impacts on different communities and neighborhoods. 

Read the full letter below. A digital copy is available HERE.

Dear Mr. President:

We respectfully ask you to expeditiously approve the request made July 31, 2018, by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, for a declaration of a major disaster for the State of Iowa as a result of severe weather that produced high winds, severe thunderstorms, hail, heavy rains, flash flooding, and riverine flooding.  These severe weather conditions caused significant damage to public and private property between June 6, 2018 through July 2, 2018. 

The 30 counties included in this request for public assistance is Adair, Buchanan, Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Clay, Dallas, Delaware, Dickinson, Emmet, Floyd, Hamilton, Hancock, Howard, Humboldt, Kossuth, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Polk, Sioux, Story, Warren, Webster, Winnebago, Winneshiek, and Wright. 

The Governor also requested assistance though the FEMA Individual Assistance Program, the Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance programs for the four counties of Buchanan, Dickinson, Polk, and Winnebago.

After a thoughtful, comprehensive, and rigorous assessment, Governor Reynolds determined this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response and support is beyond the resources and capabilities of the State and affected local governments and that supplementary federal assistance is needed.

We thank you for your prompt consideration of this request. We stand united as a federal delegation with State and local officials - and those resilient Iowans who suffered from these fierce and consequential storms - in working with you and your administration to help expedite this much needed assistance.

Sincerely,