FEMA Aid to Disaster-Stricken Iowa Communities Exceeds $500 Million
Release Date: December 23, 2008
Release Number: 1763-224
» More Information on Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
DES MOINES, Iowa -- More than $500 million in public assistance has been granted to the state by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to aid in the rebuilding process for communities in Iowa devastated by this spring's flooding and tornadoes.
To date, FEMA and the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD) have approved $504.9 million and have received more than 1,100 applications representing more than 9,000 public assistance projects.
Of those requested projects, 55 percent have been completed.
"As Iowans statewide continue the long process of rebuilding, I remain committed to identifying and utilizing every possible resource to help rebuild this state," said Governor Chet Culver. "We have made much progress in the six months since the flooding and severe weather hit our state, but there is still more to be done. I look forward to working with our federal partners, local leaders and all Iowans as together we create a stronger, safer and more secure future for Iowa."
"We have worked diligently with state and local officials to provide this assistance," said FEMA's Federal Coordinating Officer Bill Vogel. "We will continue this partnership in order to ease the burden on taxpayers as the citizens of Iowa rebuild their communities after this year's historic floods and devastating tornadoes."
After a disaster strikes, eligible applicants work with Iowa HSEMD and FEMA to assess damage and calculate the assistance needed to repair and rebuild. The partners work together to make sure local governments and agencies receive every eligible dollar of assistance available to them.
Once a need is identified, state and federal representatives work one-on-one with applicants to assess costs for reimbursement or determine proposed project costs. Once approved, FEMA authorizes the funding to the state, which then distributes it to local recipients. Federal funds cover 90 percent of the cost of most of these projects. The state pays the remaining 10 percent.
Public assistance funding is used for eligible disaster-related debris removal and emergency protective measures, to restore disaster-damaged public infrastructure and to help certain, eligible private non-profit agencies which suffered disaster-related losses.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 23-Dec-2008 15:58:01