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Weather Disasters Hit Iowans Hard
This summer Iowa has seen severe weather events hit nearly every corner of the state. From flooding on the Missouri and the Mississippi Rivers and tornados, hail and torrential downpours in other parts of the state, Iowans are dealing with what seems like a never-ending barrage from Mother Nature.
Just yesterday I sent a letter to President Obama supporting Governor Branstad’s request for federal public assistance and hazard mitigation assistance for Dubuque and Jackson counties in northeast Iowa. The request comes as a result of severe storms in the area from July 27 through July 29. To make matters worse, these counties were already working to recover from previous presidentially declared disasters.
In addition to this latest request, flood recovery also continues along the Missouri River. Earlier this week, I spoke by phone with the top administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reiterate continuing concerns the state has with the progression of several items. For instance, because of current law, questions remain about whether communities will be able to keep temporary structures put in place by local residents. These structures saved towns along the river, and the community leaders would like the structures to stay in place. The agency should use common sense and work with these communities to allow these structures to remain, and in the end, help save the community, and taxpayer dollars, if another catastrophic flood takes place.
I also added my voice to the choir advocating for federal assistance for individuals along the Missouri River. There are a number of people who haven’t been able to get to their homes because of water that remains, surrounding their residences. I encouraged the FEMA Administrator to continue working with Governor Branstad to ensure that the full extent of the damage, which may not be known yet for several weeks, is accounted for.
August 12, 2011
This summer Iowa has seen severe weather events hit nearly every corner of the state. From flooding on the Missouri and the Mississippi Rivers and tornados, hail and torrential downpours in other parts of the state, Iowans are dealing with what seems like a never-ending barrage from Mother Nature.
Just yesterday I sent a letter to President Obama supporting Governor Branstad’s request for federal public assistance and hazard mitigation assistance for Dubuque and Jackson counties in northeast Iowa. The request comes as a result of severe storms in the area from July 27 through July 29. To make matters worse, these counties were already working to recover from previous presidentially declared disasters.
In addition to this latest request, flood recovery also continues along the Missouri River. Earlier this week, I spoke by phone with the top administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reiterate continuing concerns the state has with the progression of several items. For instance, because of current law, questions remain about whether communities will be able to keep temporary structures put in place by local residents. These structures saved towns along the river, and the community leaders would like the structures to stay in place. The agency should use common sense and work with these communities to allow these structures to remain, and in the end, help save the community, and taxpayer dollars, if another catastrophic flood takes place.
I also added my voice to the choir advocating for federal assistance for individuals along the Missouri River. There are a number of people who haven’t been able to get to their homes because of water that remains, surrounding their residences. I encouraged the FEMA Administrator to continue working with Governor Branstad to ensure that the full extent of the damage, which may not be known yet for several weeks, is accounted for.
August 12, 2011