(KIWA Staff Photo)
Rock Valley, Iowa (RI/Sioux County Radio) Nearly two years after historic flooding devastated the community, Rock Valley officials say a major piece of the city’s long recovery process is finally moving forward.
Federal officials have obligated more than $22.6 million through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support voluntary home buyouts in Rock Valley, allowing long-awaited property acquisitions and demolition work to move closer to reality.
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley and Congressman Randy Feenstra both announced the funding this week as part of more than $27 million in FEMA assistance awarded to communities across Iowa.
According to Grassley’s office, the funding will support the acquisition and demolition of 123 residential properties damaged during the June 2024 flooding. The city plans to purchase the properties, demolish existing structures, and convert the land to open space to reduce future flood risks.
Rock Valley City Manager Tom Van Maanen first requested the funding in December 2024 and says he’s relieved to finally have an answer.
He says the funding represents the federal share of the overall buyout project.
Van Maanen says the total buyout package is expected to approach $36 million once state and local contributions are included. He also notes the city’s share will be covered through a separate Community Development Block Grant program administered by the state and funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
While federal releases listed between 104 and 123 properties as part of the project, Van Maanen said the city’s buyout program ultimately includes 124 properties.
In a statement provided by Feenstra’s communications team, Rock Valley Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo called the funding obligation a huge step forward for families who have patiently waited for the process to move ahead. He says it’s really exciting news for the community. He says they’ve been working toward this moment for a long time, and knowing that FEMA has obligated the home buyout application is a huge step forward for the families who have been waiting so patiently.
Van Maanen admits the process was frustrating for homeowners, and at times for city leaders, but says the FEMA home buyout program is not designed to provide immediate disaster relief.
He says the lengthy timeline has been especially difficult for residents.
Still, Van Maanen said the latest approval clears a major hurdle.
The city also reminded residents that additional steps remain before acquisitions can begin and said more information will be released as officials work through the final paperwork with FEMA.
Rock Valley originally planned to buy out 147 properties, but some owners have already rebuilt their homes or sold them. FEMA also awarded Rock Valley three-point-five million dollars more to help pay for cleanup and repairs.
The federal funding announcement also included more than $360,000 to support the purchase of two properties in Hawarden and nearly $150,000 for the purchase of one property in Sioux Rapids.
