Trump approves presidential disaster proclamation for Iowa’s severe weather

The 30 counties hit by severe weather and flooding in June will receive federal funding following a presidential disaster proclamation.

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U.S. President Donald Trump waves from Air Force One on Thursday, March 29, 2018 upon arrival in West Palm Beach Airport, Florida. (Johnny Louis/Sipa USA/TNS)

Emily Wangen, Politics Reporter

Following severe weather and flooding throughout June and into the early days of July, President Donald Trump issued a major disaster declaration for the state of Iowa.

The declaration will make federal funding available to 30 Iowa counties under the Public Assistance Program, and will begin long-term federal recovery programs, according to a press release from the office of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Funding to conduct hazard mitigation activities for the entire state will also be included in Trump’s disaster declaration, which aims to minimize disaster impact through reducing or eliminating long-term risk from natural hazards.

“Given the significant impact to the residents of the state, I have determined that this incident is of such a severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State of Iowa and the affected local governments, and that supplementary federal assistance is necessary,” Reynolds wrote in an Aug. 1 letter to Trump requesting the declaration.

From June 6 to July 2, parts of Iowa experienced high totals of rainfall, thunderstorms, and straight-line winds which lead to 303 damaged sites, according to a preliminary damage assessment completed in July.

Overall, the damage in the 30 counties has an estimated damage of $16.30 million eligible under the Public Assistance Program, Reynolds wrote in the request to Trump.

This total includes debris removal and repairs to damages in areas such as buildings, roads, and water control facilities, which is estimated to have the highest cost of $2.89 million.

Reynolds had also requested additional funding under FEMA’s individual assistance program for four counties, which is undergoing review.

Still pending is a second request for a presidential disaster declaration made Aug. 17 following the July 19 storms and tornadoes that hit the state.