DES MOINES, Iowa - Governor Kim Reynolds has asked for nearly $4 billion in an expedited Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to assist with clean up and relief efforts from last Monday's powerful derecho storm.
The request says Iowa will need about $3.998 billion from the federal government in recovery efforts. Reynolds said 8,273 homes were destroyed or had major damage. Her request asks for $23.6 million for damage of public infrastructure and $21.6 million for removal and disposal of debris.
The governor has requested funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program for 27 counties, including: 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. Individual Assistance Program funding provides for homeowners and businesses harmed by a disaster.
“With rapid approval, this declaration will provide a significant level of federal resources to support the state and local response,” said Reynolds in a statement. “ 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.”
Iowa's two U.S. Senators and four House of Representatives members sent a bipartisan letter to President Trump in support of Governor Reynolds request.