(Island Park, Rock Rapids -- KIWA Staff Photo)Sioux County and Rock Rapids, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — More than $3 million in federal disaster funding is headed to northwest Iowa for infrastructure repairs in Sioux County and flood-mitigation work in Rock Rapids.
Two announcements released Thursday detail nearly $813,330 for Sioux County and more than $2.2 million for property acquisitions in Rock Rapids.
Sioux County Receives Two Awards
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley announced that FEMA is awarding Sioux County a combined $813,328.34 following the severe storms and flooding that struck the area in June 2024.
The larger award — $676,302.02 — goes to Sioux County Secondary Roads to repair or replace a bridge damaged by storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes.
Another $137,026.32 is being awarded to the Sioux County Conservation Board to repair or replace park buildings damaged in the same disaster.
The funding is authorized under Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
Grassley said Iowans have a long history of rebuilding after severe weather and called the federal support an encouraging step for Sioux County’s recovery.
Rock Rapids Properties to Become Open Space
In a separate announcement, FEMA said it is awarding more than $2.2 million to Iowa for the acquisition of 16 properties in Rock Rapids.
The properties will be demolished and the land converted to open space. The funding comes through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which supports projects intended to prevent or reduce damage from future disasters.
FEMA says it coordinates directly with the state on hazard-mitigation projects.
Regional Funding Totals More Than $16 Million
The Sioux County and Rock Rapids projects are part of more than $16 million in post-disaster funding announced Thursday for Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska. That includes more than $14.2 million through FEMA’s Public Assistance program and more than $2.4 million through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
