Northwest Iowa (KUOO/KIWA) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has allocated more than $62 million in federal disaster recovery grants to communities across Iowa in response to the devastating floods of 2024.
The Rock Valley Community School District and the Rock Valley Christian School will receive more than $8.4 million, while the city of Rock Valley and Rock Valley Residential Housing will receive more than $10 million.
Rock Valley City officials stress that these reimbursements restore funds already spent from City reserves and local bank loans in order to respond quickly and maintain essential services following the disaster. “The City made the decision to move forward with critical repairs and replacements immediately to protect public safety and restore services,” said City Administrator. “This reimbursement ensures that local taxpayers are not left carrying the full financial burden of costs that have already been paid.”
The City of Rock Valley is also continuing to advance its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) home buyout application. According to the City’s understanding, Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 7 in Kansas City is completing the final environmental and historical review on 28 homes that were transitioned from the Swift Current Program into the HMGP application. Because these properties previously underwent environmental and historical review under the Swift Current program, the City is hopeful the final review will proceed efficiently.
After the regional review is completed, the application will move into the Large Project Notice to Congress for a 30-day review period. Following that step, the application will advance to Secretary Noem for final approval and obligation of funds. The City remains focused on securing approval so that long-term recovery and mitigation efforts can continue. Further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available. For more information, please contact Rock Valley City Hall at (712) 476-5707 or visit www.cityofrockvalley.com.
Osceola County will be getting more than $3 million from FEMA. 4.1 million will be going to the Little Sioux Inter-County Drainage District. The city of Cherokee will receive more than $1.1 million, and more than $700,000 was awarded to the city of Rock Rapids.
