MAX: BREAKING. THE GOVERNOR HAS REQUESTED AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION, ONE DAY EARLIER THAN IT WAS THOUGHT. THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE STATE NEEDS NEARLY $4 BILLION IN ASSISTANCE AFTER MONDAY’S STORM. GOVERNOR REYNOLDS SAYS PRESIDENT
Reynolds requests Presidential Major Disaster Declaration; says Iowa needs $3.99 billion
Updated: 7:45 PM CDT Aug 16, 2020
Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Sunday that she has officially requested an expedited Presidential Major Disaster Declaration after the derecho on Aug. 10.The requests estimates that Iowa will need approximately $3.998 billion from the federal government in order to recover. In the estimates, she includes 8,273 homes that were destroyed or had major damage, $23.6 million for the damage of public infrastructure and $21.6 million for removal and disposal of debris. “From cities to farms, Iowans are hurting, many still have challenges with shelter, food, and power. Resilience is in our DNA, but we’re going to need a strong and timely federal response to support recovery efforts,” Reynolds released in a statement. “I have formally requested an expedited Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to secure this critical federal assistance as quickly as possible. This past week I had conversations with President Trump and Vice President Pence, both have pledged the full support of the federal government. I am very grateful for their continued partnership and commitment during this disaster.” Reynolds said that many local agencies are still assessing damage in their area, so she used "technology as well as historical data to create the damage estimates found within the request letter." “With rapid approval, this declaration will provide a significant level of federal resources to support the state and local response,” Reynolds continues. “ While it is unconventional for a major disaster declaration request of this magnitude to be assembled and approved within a matter of days, it is essential that our request is expedited and approved as quickly as possible.” She has already issued a disaster proclamation for Audubon, Benton, Boone, Cass, Cedar, Clarke, Clinton, Dallas, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hardin, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Madison, Marshall, Muscatine, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story, Tama and Washington counties. Iowa politicians are responding to the news. (R) Sen. Joni Ernst wrote on Twitter, "Iowans are hurting and we need this support ASAP." "I am incredibly happy to see this request for a major disaster declaration, and will do anything and everything to see it fulfilled. Our neighbors need help and they need it now," said District 1 (D) Rep. Abby Finkenauer on Twitter."This is a critical step that would bring much-needed federal aid to help deal with the damage from Monday's derecho," said District 3 (D) Rep. Cindy Axne on Twitter. "(Trump) needs to approve this declaration as soon as possible to give (FEMA) and local partners to backup they need to continue helping Iowans.""This is important to free up federal (money) for Iowans in need. I expect (Trump) admin will move very quickly to approve the congressional delegation backs swift action," said (R) Sen. Chuck Grassley. For the latest updates on the derecho, click here. For ways on how to help Iowans after the derecho, click here.
DES MOINES, Iowa — Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Sunday that she has officially requested an expedited Presidential Major Disaster Declaration after the derecho on Aug. 10.
The requests estimates that Iowa will need approximately $3.998 billion from the federal government in order to recover. In the estimates, she includes 8,273 homes that were destroyed or had major damage, $23.6 million for the damage of public infrastructure and $21.6 million for removal and disposal of debris.
“From cities to farms, Iowans are hurting, many still have challenges with shelter, food, and power. Resilience is in our DNA, but we’re going to need a strong and timely federal response to support recovery efforts,” Reynolds released in a statement. “I have formally requested an expedited Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to secure this critical federal assistance as quickly as possible. This past week I had conversations with President Trump and Vice President Pence, both have pledged the full support of the federal government. I am very grateful for their continued partnership and commitment during this disaster.”
Reynolds said that many local agencies are still assessing damage in their area, so she used "technology as well as historical data to create the damage estimates found within the request letter."
“With rapid approval, this declaration will provide a significant level of federal resources to support the state and local response,” Reynolds continues. “ While it is unconventional for a major disaster declaration request of this magnitude to be assembled and approved within a matter of days, it is essential that our request is expedited and approved as quickly as possible.”
She has already issued a disaster proclamation for Audubon, Benton, Boone, Cass, Cedar, Clarke, Clinton, Dallas, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hardin, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Madison, Marshall, Muscatine, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story, Tama and Washington counties.
Iowa politicians are responding to the news. (R) Sen. Joni Ernst wrote on Twitter, "Iowans are hurting and we need this support ASAP."
"I am incredibly happy to see this request for a major disaster declaration, and will do anything and everything to see it fulfilled. Our neighbors need help and they need it now," said District 1 (D) Rep. Abby Finkenauer on Twitter.
"This is a critical step that would bring much-needed federal aid to help deal with the damage from Monday's derecho," said District 3 (D) Rep. Cindy Axne on Twitter. "(Trump) needs to approve this declaration as soon as possible to give (FEMA) and local partners to backup they need to continue helping Iowans."
"This is important to free up federal (money) for Iowans in need. I expect (Trump) admin will move very quickly to approve the congressional delegation backs swift action," said (R) Sen. Chuck Grassley.
For the latest updates on the derecho, click here.
For ways on how to help Iowans after the derecho, click here.