Jasper County Emergency Management Director Jamey Robinson says the communities that had unplanned expenses from the severe weather in early July could benefit from a Federal Disaster Declaration that’s been requested by elected leaders in the state. Colfax, Kellogg, and Reasnor were pumping water in an attempt to minimize flood damage. Those communities have limited funds, and Robinson notes any unplanned large expense can have a significant impact.
“When you go out and spend $50,000 that you didn’t plan on spending because of a disaster, where did you take that from that you can just cut $50,000. So that’s why we really push going after any funds that we can to bring back in, especially if you start getting into reserves. As we know, budgets are going to get a little tighter in the coming years, so any nickels we can get back from the federal government, I am all for it.”
Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa’s Republican representatives in Washington D.C. are asking for President Donald Trump to issue a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Jasper, Polk, Story, and Warren counties due to flood damage from severe weather between July 1st and 4th. They are looking for FEMA Public Assistance Program funding for those counties and hazard mitigation assistance funding statewide. The FEMA Public Assistance Program is for rebuilding damaged public infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, and covering the cost of emergency clean-up. A joint preliminary damage assessment by federal, state, and local officials estimated there is more than $6.5 million in damages in Jasper and the three other counties that are eligible under the public assistance program.
Joining the Governor in asking for the Presidential Disaster Declaration were U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, and U.S. Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Ashley Hinson, Zach Nunn, and Randy Feenstra.
