Jasper County, Iowa: Nearly 200 Homes Damaged By Floods

(Jasper County, IA) -- Jasper County Emergency Manager Jamey Robinson says he's taken 186 reports of damage from the flooding event May 21st. Heavy rain caused the North Skunk River to go out of its banks, and caused considerable flooding in the town of Kellogg were 18 homes were inundated. Robinson says waters also inundated homes in Colfax, Newton, and Prairie City.

Jasper County is included in the state disaster proclamation, which makes individual assistance available. Robinson says, however, most residents who are impacted do not qualify for that program, based on income guidelines. He says a survey crew from the state has been back in the county, checking damage. Robinson says he's hoping that Jasper will be added to the list of counties qualifying for federal disaster assistance. That, however, has not happened as of today, May 28th.

Robinson says cleanup is well underway, with residents getting to work as soon as the flood waters receded from their basements, and in many cases, the main floor of their home.