Severe weather impacted several states across the midwest this week. | Canva
Severe weather impacted several states across the midwest this week. | Canva
Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes left a path of destruction through the midwest. A storm moved through the region on Wednesday, Dec. 15, causing damage to hundreds of buildings, power lines and other structures. This week, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for 43 counties in the state that were impacted by the severe weather.
"The governor's proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for qualifying residents," according to a release from the governor's office.
The proclamation includes the following counties: Allamakee, Appanoose, Audubon, Bremer, Buena Vista, Butler, Calhoun, Cass, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Davis, Fayette, Floyd, Greene, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Howard, Ida, Kossuth, Lucas, Madison, Marshall, Mills, Mitchell, Monroe, Montgomery, O'Brien, Page, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Sac, Shelby, Union, Washington, Webster, Winnebago, Winneshiek, Wright and Worth.
With the disaster proclamation, the counties will be authorized to use state resources to respond and recover from the damage. The authorization also actives the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program. The program provides grants for relief of up to $5,000 for households up to 200% of the poverty level set by the federal government. The grants can be used for home and car repairs, the purchasing of necessities like clothing or food, and temporary housing accommodations.
Those who are in need of assistance can apply using the Iowa Department of Human Services website.
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