WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley has asked the President to grant the request made by Governor Terry Branstad for a declaration of a major disaster in response to damaging winds, heavy rains, thunderstorms, freezing rain, and ice and snow this month.
In a letter of request sent Friday, Grassley said, “The Governor determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments to handle effectively and federal assistance is needed.”
Severe weather on April 9, 10, and 11 caused significant damage to utility lines, poles, and vegetation. The Iowa counties with the most severe damage are Dickinson, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, and Sioux.
Here is the text of Grassley’s letter to the President Barack Obama:
April 26, 2013
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I respectfully ask that you grant the request made by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad for a declaration of a major disaster for the State of Iowa as a result of severe weather that produced damaging winds, heavy rains, thunderstorms, freezing rain, along with ice and snow beginning on April 9, 2013, and ending on April 11, 2013. This weather caused significant damages to utility lines, poles, and vegetation. The counties with the most severe damage are Dickinson, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, and Sioux.
The Governor determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments to handle effectively and federal assistance is needed.
Thank you for your prompt consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator