Rock Valley, Iowa — The City of Rock Valley has been notified that the first five homes submitted under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) have been approved for voluntary buyouts.
These are also the first properties in Iowa to receive approval following the 2024 flooding and tornado disasters.
The five homes were submitted as a separate “micro application” after Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management (IHSEM) staff identified they may have potential historical significance. To avoid delaying the larger citywide buyout application, these properties were separated and reviewed independently.
“Getting these first five approvals is a very positive step for our community,” said City Administrator Tom Van Maanen. “It shows the process is moving and brings us closer to securing buyouts for all affected homeowners so they can rebuild their lives.”
City officials have met with the affected homeowners to outline next steps in the voluntary buyout process. As implementation begins, the city will issue Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for several professional services needed to complete the buyouts. These include legal services for purchase agreements and property transfers, a licensed asbestos inspector, a certified asbestos abatement contractor, and a demolition contractor.
Meanwhile, Rock Valley’s larger HMGP buyout application continues to move through federal review. FEMA has already approved the project’s benefit‑cost analysis. FEMA also informed IHSEM that environmental and historical reviews will be required for the 28 properties moved from the Swift Current program into the HMGP application.
IHSEM officials have pointed out to FEMA that these properties previously underwent environmental and historical reviews as part of the Swift Current program and that the required review standards are identical. This was the most recent correspondence between IHSEM and FEMA Region VII in Kansas City prior to the recent partial federal government shutdown.
IHSEM has emphasized to FEMA that these properties already underwent identical environmental and historical reviews under Swift Current. That emphasis was the most recent communication with FEMA Region VII in Kansas City before the partial federal government shutdown.
Because of the partial government shutdown, the larger application is not currently advancing, creating frustration for homeowners and local officials awaiting resolution.
The city is working with Governor Kim Reynolds, Congressman Randy Feenstra, Senator Chuck Grassley, and Senator Joni Ernst to encourage FEMA leadership to move the application out of Region VII and into the Large Project Congressional Notice phase.
The Large Project Congressional Notice period lasts 30 days. Once completed, the application would move to the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security for the obligation of funds. When funds are obligated, the city will be able to begin the formal process of voluntary home buyouts for all properties included in the HMGP application.
City officials say they remain committed to working with state and federal partners to help residents affected by the 2024 flooding move forward as quickly as possible.
Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
KIWA Staff Photo
