Iowa will receive federal disaster assistance for areas affected by Mississippi River flooding in April and May, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced.
The disaster declaration late Friday by President Joe Biden follows a request by Gov. Kim Reynolds in 19-page letter in early August. Reynolds detailed $6 million worth of damage to several city sewer systems and other infrastructure, including roads, highways and bridges, in Allamakee, Clayton, Des Moines, Dubuque, Jackson, Lee and Scott counties.
The flooding was the result of rapid snowmelt in areas farther north along the river, the National Weather Service said. FEMA said the federal aid is available to eligible governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and repair or replacement of damaged facilities in the affected counties.
It said federal funding also is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
José M. Gil Montañez, a federal coordinating officer for FEMA, is overseeing the federal recovery operations in the affected areas, FEMA said.
Source : Des Moines Register
