Des Moines, Iowa — Governor Reynolds has issued disaster proclamations for counties in opposite corners of Iowa for severe weather that struck on Friday and Saturday.
Torrential rainfall and a tornado in Sioux County prompted several severe weather alerts lasting most of Saturday afternoon. Law enforcement issued a no-travel advisory for the county due to standing water on many roadways. Many roadways in Sioux Center, Rock Valley, and Boyden were impassable due to the flooding, and a transformer became submerged in Sioux Center causing a power outage. Rainfall totals in the area according to the National Weather Service show 10” in Sioux Center, 8.38” near Boyden, and 7.87” near Hull on Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities, heavy rain fell in southeast Iowa Saturday. Between four and eight inches of rain fell in less than six hours, causing flash flooding and several water rescues in Keokuk. WGEM-TV received an unofficial report from the Keokuk area of 11 inches of rain on Saturday.
The governor’s emergency declaration activates the state’s individual assistance grant program for low-income households. Grants of up to five thousand dollars are available to cover home or car repairs and replace food or clothing. The grants can also cover the cost of temporary housing. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website: homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.
With help from Community First Broadcasting Station KSOU
