Responding to Severe Flooding Across Iowa
Over the last few weeks, much of the state has experienced severe flooding which doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. The western part of Iowa has been impacted significantly compared to the rest of the state with several towns being evacuated.
In response to the flooding, Governor Reynolds has been traveling the state to survey the damage and meet with local officials. I want to thank the Governor for her work and quick action to help in recovery efforts.
Governor Reynolds requested an expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration for $1.6 billion in aid which President Trump quickly approved for 56 counties, making them immediately eligible for federal disaster relief.
This is how the $1.6 billion in aid will be disbursed to assist in recovery efforts:
| Agriculture | $214,000,000 |
| Public Assistance | $77,417,455 |
| Business (4,244 commercial parcels) | $300,000,000 |
| Homes with minor damage | $417,000,000 |
| Homes with Major Damage | $64,000,000 |
| USACE Levees (70 miles) | $350,000,000 |
| Non-Federal Levees (175 miles) | $175,000,000 |
| TOTAL | $1,597,417,455 |
Learning from past disaster events, the Legislature passed legislation in 2011 that gave the Governor the authority to use the Economic Emergency Fund to quickly respond to disasters across the state.
Thanks to this forward-looking legislation, it is unlikely that the Legislature will need to take actions this session, but the House stands ready to assist with recovery efforts if necessary. Individual legislators with flooding in their districts have been actively working with local officials and community leaders to assist in cleanup efforts and will continue to do so.
Lee Hein 