Storm damage in Cedar Rapids. Photo courtesy of Cat Nelson.

Federal disaster assistance is now available for some Iowans to help supplement state and local storm recovery efforts. FEMA announced the funding is to help areas affected by severe storms on August 10th. At Tuesday’s Washington County Board of Supervisors meeting the board approved a disaster relief resolution and Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen explained the federal proclamation is in addition to the Governor’s proclamation that was established last week, “It just makes sure that all our boxes are checked. We were included in the governor’s disaster declaration last week, which opens up individual assistance program as well as disaster case management. And then yesterday the governor submitted the expedited request for a presidential disaster declaration in the state of Iowa.”

The federal proclamation includes Benton, Boone, Cedar, Clinton, Dallas, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Marshall, Muscatine, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story, and Tama counties. The funding is available for state and local governments, as well as certain non-profit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the derecho. Damage assessments are continuing in other areas and other counties may be added later.