RELEASE: Branstad, Reynolds, Iowa HSEMD update Iowans on flooding across the state
Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today were joined at their weekly press conference by Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department (HSEMD) Director Mark Schouten to brief Iowans regarding the flooding situation occurring across the state.
In the past week, Gov. Branstad has issued disaster declarations for the following counties due to flooding and storm damage: Buena Vista, Cedar, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Franklin, Hancock, Ida, Kossuth, Lyon, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sac, Sioux, Woodbury and Wright. Last week, Branstad and Schouten visited Lyon and Sioux counties to survey flood damage.
“Director Schouten and I had the opportunity to visit the communities of Rock Rapids and Rock Valley last week, and while the damage was significant, I was moved upon hearing of the outpouring of support the communities are receiving,” said Branstad. “By issuing proclamations of disaster for these counties, state resources are being made available to help in relief efforts, but citizens across Iowa should rest assured that the state stands ready to continue its aid and will work to assess eligibility for assistance from the federal government.”
Some of the resources that have been provided to date through Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management include:
Buena Vista County
40 road barricades
Cedar County
Inmate assistance for debris removal
Franklin County
One 3-inch pump
Eighty clean-up kits
Hancock County
Seventy-five clean-up kits
Pumps for the City of Klemme
Lyon County
Pumps for the communities of Rock Rapids and George
Established a shelter in Rock Rapids for displaced residents
Traffic control support for Rock Rapids
Plymouth County
20,000 sandbags
Pump for the City of Akron
Pocahontas County
10,000 sandbags to protect the power utility substation in Rolfe
Sioux County
250,000 sandbags
Five loads of sand from Iowa Department of Transportation to Rock Valley
Urban Search and Rescue Team provided lights for use in sandbagging efforts and assisted in the evacuation of 16 people
Six pumps for City of Rock Valley
Established a shelter in Rock Valley for displaced residents
30 road barricades
The Department of Inspections and Appeals provided evacuation assistance to the residents of Hope Haven in Rock Valley.
“Governor Branstad and I, in conjunction with the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department and other relevant state agencies, will continue to ensure Iowans in flood-affected communities receive the assistance they need to respond to and recover from the flooding,” said Reynolds. “Flooding and flood recovery tend to last longer than other disaster situations, but Governor Branstad and I are committed to assisting Iowans in every way we can throughout the process.”
Heavy rains caused flooding in parts of northwest Iowa as a band of strong storms passed through the state beginning on Monday, June 16, 2014, and continued through the last week. The Governor’s Office and Iowa HSEMD re-launched Iowa Flood Central to provide Iowans and the press flood-related updates and resources.
“The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department, along with our partner agencies, will continue to assist and support the many communities impacted by this spring’s flooding and severe weather,” said department director Mark Schouten. “Right now, we are also working with local government officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assess the extent of the damage and determine if it warrants a request for federal disaster aid.”
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For more information please visit www.IowaFloodCentral.Tumblr.com or www.homelandsecurity.iowa.gov.