Vilsack adds 37 counties to disaster declaration
By Charlotte Eby, Journal Des Moines Bureau | Posted: Friday, May 28, 2004
DES MOINES -- Gov. Tom Vilsack gave state disaster designations on Thursday to 37 more Iowa counties hit by brutal storms and heavy flooding, bringing the total to 61.
Vilsack toured the flooded areas of the state earlier this week by helicopter after a round of heavy storms forced many Iowa rivers and streams out of their banks.
Spokesman Matt Paul said it was the worst storm damage Vilsack has seen in the state since he's been governor.
"We'll continue to do everything we can to speed help to these folks," Paul said.
The counties added to the list Thursday include Adair, Adams, Allamakee, Audubon, Benton, Buena Vista, Calhoun, Cedar, Clay, Clinton, Dallas, Dubuque, Franklin, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hardin, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Linn, Lucas, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Montgomery, Palo Alto, Pottawattamie, Polk, Sac, Shelby, Story, Tama, Warren, Winneshiek and Webster.
The state disaster designation is the first step in making residents and local governments in those counties eligible for federal assistance.
Ellen Gordon, Iowa's Homeland Security Advisor and Emergency Management director, said state officials were getting a better picture of the broad impact of the disaster as they continued to conduct damage assessments.
Gordon is urging Iowans who have experienced losses from floods or storms to call the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-621-3362 to register for assistance.
Counties already designated under state disaster declarations are Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cass, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Fayette, Floyd, Fremont, Hancock, Howard, Humboldt, Johnson, Jones, Kossuth, Mitchell, Page, Pocahontas, Winnebago and Wright counties.
So far, 14 counties have received federal disaster designations from President Bush, making residents there eligible for federal aid.
State officials are still awaiting word on whether federal officials will issue disaster declarations for other Iowa counties that have been affected.
The Iowa Department of Human Services was also working this week to get the word out that Iowans affected by flooding in those counties could be eligible for the Food Assistance Program.
"When you're battling storm cleanup, the last thing you want to worry about is having enough money to buy groceries," said DHS Director Kevin Concannon.
DHS will speed up the application process, formerly known as food stamps, so more people are eligible for help in the 14 counties with federal designations.
Officials began accepting applications for food assistance Thursday at county DHS offices. Those seeking help can call 1-877-YES-FOOD for the location of their nearest office.
The eligibility for emergency food assistance is based on household income and assets. For example, a family of four with a monthly income of $2,000 or less and less than $2,000 in assets can qualify. Those who already receive food assistance could be eligible for additional benefits.
The counties with federal disaster designations include Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cass, Cerro Gordo, Clayton, Delaware, Fayette, Hancock, Humboldt, Jones, Linn, Mitchell, and Pocahontas counties.
Vilsack toured the flooded areas of the state earlier this week by helicopter after a round of heavy storms forced many Iowa rivers and streams out of their banks.
Spokesman Matt Paul said it was the worst storm damage Vilsack has seen in the state since he's been governor.
"We'll continue to do everything we can to speed help to these folks," Paul said.
The counties added to the list Thursday include Adair, Adams, Allamakee, Audubon, Benton, Buena Vista, Calhoun, Cedar, Clay, Clinton, Dallas, Dubuque, Franklin, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hardin, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Linn, Lucas, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Montgomery, Palo Alto, Pottawattamie, Polk, Sac, Shelby, Story, Tama, Warren, Winneshiek and Webster.
The state disaster designation is the first step in making residents and local governments in those counties eligible for federal assistance.
Ellen Gordon, Iowa's Homeland Security Advisor and Emergency Management director, said state officials were getting a better picture of the broad impact of the disaster as they continued to conduct damage assessments.
Gordon is urging Iowans who have experienced losses from floods or storms to call the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-621-3362 to register for assistance.
Counties already designated under state disaster declarations are Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cass, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Fayette, Floyd, Fremont, Hancock, Howard, Humboldt, Johnson, Jones, Kossuth, Mitchell, Page, Pocahontas, Winnebago and Wright counties.
So far, 14 counties have received federal disaster designations from President Bush, making residents there eligible for federal aid.
State officials are still awaiting word on whether federal officials will issue disaster declarations for other Iowa counties that have been affected.
The Iowa Department of Human Services was also working this week to get the word out that Iowans affected by flooding in those counties could be eligible for the Food Assistance Program.
"When you're battling storm cleanup, the last thing you want to worry about is having enough money to buy groceries," said DHS Director Kevin Concannon.
DHS will speed up the application process, formerly known as food stamps, so more people are eligible for help in the 14 counties with federal designations.
Officials began accepting applications for food assistance Thursday at county DHS offices. Those seeking help can call 1-877-YES-FOOD for the location of their nearest office.
The eligibility for emergency food assistance is based on household income and assets. For example, a family of four with a monthly income of $2,000 or less and less than $2,000 in assets can qualify. Those who already receive food assistance could be eligible for additional benefits.
The counties with federal disaster designations include Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cass, Cerro Gordo, Clayton, Delaware, Fayette, Hancock, Humboldt, Jones, Linn, Mitchell, and Pocahontas counties.
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