Federal Disaster Declaration approved for 25 Iowa counties, including Wright

On Wednesday, February 25, Gov. Kim Reynolds received notification that President Biden had granted her request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for 25 counties that were severely impacted by Dec.15, 2021, high winds, severe storms, and tornadoes. The declaration provides assistance to public entities and select nonprofit organizations.

Under the declaration, FEMA Public Assistance Program funding is available to eligible public entities and nonprofit organizations that were impacted by the Dec. 15 severe weather. Public Assistance funding may be used for emergency work, such as debris removal and emergency protective measures, or for the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Counties included in the declaration are: Appanoose, Audubon, Buena Vista, Calhoun, Cass, Cherokee, Davis, Emmet, Floyd, Franklin, Greene, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Howard, Humboldt, Mills, Mitchell, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Sac, Van Buren, Webster, Worth, and Wright. Storm damage in those 25 counties is estimated at $5.2 million.

The governor also received notification that the Presidential Disaster Declaration includes funding to conduct hazard mitigation activities for the entire state. With this funding, Iowa will be able to minimize the impact of future disasters by taking steps to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards.

In the Wright County Supervisors meeting on Monday, Wright County Engineer Adam Clemons noted that the declaration will get the ball rolling for the county to go after federal funds. This will likely start with a series of meetings in the upcoming weeks, said Clemons.