(KIWA Staff Photo)
Hawarden, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — The City of Hawarden has been awarded nearly $1 million in federal funding to acquire properties damaged during the June 2024 floods.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the city will receive $997,855 through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The funding is tied to FEMA Disaster 4796, which covered severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes that struck Iowa in June 2024.
Property acquisition projects remove structures from high-risk flood areas, reducing future disaster losses while allowing affected property owners to voluntarily sell damaged properties.
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley welcomed the FEMA award, saying communities across northwest Iowa have worked hard to recover from last year’s disaster. He said the funding will help Hawarden continue repairing, and he intends to keep working in the Senate to ensure Iowa receives the federal support needed for recovery.
The grant is authorized under Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, which funds projects aimed at reducing future disaster damage.
Other Northwest Iowa Projects Receive FEMA Assistance
The Hawarden grant is part of more than $11.2 million in FEMA funding announced for projects across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.
- Rock Rapids Municipal Utility received more than $138,000 through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program to repair or replace meters and regulators damaged during the disaster.
- The City of Spencer received more than $118,000 to repair or replace portions of its citywide sewer system.
- Marion County was awarded more than $330,000 through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to improve warning and alert systems.
FEMA says the funding is intended to help communities recover from disasters while investing in projects that strengthen infrastructure and reduce damage from future severe weather events.
