Governor Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster proclamation for 43 counties including Washington in response to Wednesday’s severe weather. 

The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for qualifying residents, along with the Disaster Case Management Program. The individual assistance program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households up to 200% of the federal poverty level. Applicants have 45 days from December 16th to submit a claim. The case management program has no income eligibility requirements and closes 180 days from December 16th. 

The Washington County Communications Center states fire departments countywide were paged for weather spotters during the Severe Thunderstorm Warning that was issued from about 8:08-9:15 p.m. Wednesday. Damage included an electrical pole that was on fire in a tree in Washington, a cable line down in Wellman, a tree down on a residence in rural Kalona, a shed blown in trees in Riverside, and a roof that blew off a building in Brighton. No injuries were reported with the storm. Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen measured a 57 mile-per-hour wind gust at about 8:38 p.m., and crews worked to replace electrical poles alongside Highway 1 near the Washington County Fairgrounds Thursday. 

Residents impacted by the storm are asked to report damage to help local and state officials better understand the damage sustained. Damage to property, roads, utilities and other storm-related information may be reported.