Butler, Fayette, Franklin Among Counties Getting Governor Disaster Declaration

A handful of north Iowa counties are among the 17 latest counties to be declared disaster areas by Governor Kim Reynolds.

The governor’s emergency proclamation is in response to Tuesday’s (05.21) severe storms and includes Black Hawk, Fayette, Franklin, Hancock and Butler counties, where residents in New Hartford and Parkersburg recover from flooding associated with Beaver Creek. The governor had previously issued disaster proclamations for 15 other counties including Kossuth County and, most notably, Adair County, where at least four people died from the tornado that devastated Greenfield Tuesday.

This move activates Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program for storm victims.

The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case advocates work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referrals to obtain a service or resource.  There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation.  For information on the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, contact your local community action agency or visit iowacommunityaction.org.    

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.  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 Homeland Security and Emergency Management website at homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance.  Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.   

The proclamation also waives fees for issuance of replacement motor vehicle registrations cards, plates and driver licenses.  It also temporarily suspends regulatory provisions of the Iowa Code that pertain to procurement of goods and services, hours of service for disaster repair crews, and various requirements for the transportation of loads related to disaster repairs.  

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