King Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration for Five Iowa Counties Suffering from Severe Weather Damage

Congressman King leads House delegation response to severe weather damage in Dickinson, Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola and Sioux counties.

Washington, DC – Congressman Steve King sent a letter signed by the entire Iowa House Delegation to President Barack Obama asking him to grant Governor Terry Branstad's request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for five counties that have been ravaged by severe weather. If granted, the disaster declaration will trigger the release of Public Assistance Program funding to Dickinson, Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola and Sioux counties to aid their response to the severe weather damage between April 9 and 11, 2013. King initiated the congressional letter of support for the state's request.

"Earlier this month damaging winds, heavy rains, ice and snow storms ripped through Northwest Iowa," said King. "This severe weather has caused extensive damage that Iowans are still recovering from, and I am asking the President to grant the state's request for a Declaration of Major Disaster. Damages to utility lines, roads and trees have hurt businesses and families in Iowa and public assistance funds will help strengthen recovery and cover the costs of emergency work. I am calling on the President, with the support of Iowa's House delegation on behalf of the state's request, to issue a disaster declaration and supply the relief efforts necessary to get these five counties back on their feet again."

King's letter to President Obama notes that Governor Branstad requested a Major Disaster Declaration after determining that the weather damage "is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments and that supplementary Federal assistance is needed."

For your convenience, a copy of Congressman King's letter can be found here.