WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley said today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has awarded funds totaling $6,489,713.05 to Iowa as the state continues to recover from 2008 flooding.
"Iowans have continued their resiliency in the wake of the devastating floods and severe storms, but vital resources are a continued need as we strive to get Iowa back on its feet," Grassley said. "These funds will help Cedar Rapids and Johnson County pay for some of the costs of repairs and expenses incurred during the 2008 floods."
FEMA obligates the funding for the projects below to the state of Iowa. It's the state's responsibility to use these funds to reimburse eligible sub-grantees after the review process and upon receipt of appropriate documentation. The eligible sub-grantees are shown below.
· Johnson County will receive $1,724,496 through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to acquire/demolish 16 residential properties that have been substantially damaged. The funding should cover 75 percent of the total project cost.
· Cedar Rapids Community School District will receive $4,765,217.05 through FEMA's Public Assistance program to reimburse funds used to repair the Educational Service Center Building which had damages to doors, flooring, architectural items and its electrical and mechanical systems.
According to FEMA, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funds to reduce the loss of life and property, lessen the impact to local communities due to natural disasters, and enable recovery after a disaster.
According to FEMA, the Public Assistance Grant program provides assistance to State, Tribal and local governments, and certain types of Private Nonprofit organizations so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies declared by the President.
Thanks, in part, to the efforts of the Iowa congressional delegation, FEMA pays for 90 percent of the costs associated with the Public Assistance project shown above. The delegation sent several letters requesting the federal government take another look at the disaster level to ensure Iowa communities got the assistance they were entitled.