Parts of northwest Iowa say they could use federal help recovering from damage that June and July heavy rains brought to the area. Gov. Kim Reynolds is asking President Donald Trump for $16 million in federal aid for 30 counties.
In her letter to President Trump, Gov. Reynolds said severe weather from June 6 through July 2 damaged public infrastructure and private property. She is asking for federal assistance for a range of things from debris removal to roads and bridge to parks and recreation facilities.
Cherokee County is one of the 30 counties she’s seeking help for. Cherokee City Administrator Sam Kooiker says river levels rose and flooding ruined parts of a city park and green space, that will need to be replanted.
The city estimates it is dealing with $2 million in damages.
“We do need the assistance to get back on our feet,” Kooiker said. “Clearly the disaster we’re facing is not as severe as disasters elsewhere, but it really has impacted our community and local taxpayers.”
Kooiker points to Rock Valley in Sioux County as suffering a bigger disaster. More than 50 homes had to be evacuated due to flooding.
"It's an ongoing battle." -Osceola County Engineer Aaron Holmbech
Further north of Cherokee and Sioux, Osceola County officials estimate most of the county received 4 to 6 inches of rain during some rainfall events, as well as flash flooding over the course of a few weeks.
"By the time you add that all up, we had quite a few lakes in Iowa," said Aaron Holmbech, Osceola County's engineer.
The City of Sibley evacuated some residents on June 20, due to flooding.
Holmbech says water overtopped roads and bridges sustained damages. The county had to conduct emergency repair work for some bridges.
“Some of that stuff is completing now and we have crossings that are open to traffic,” Holmbech said. “We’re still fighting it. We’re still dealing with it. It’s an ongoing battle.”
Holmbech says Gov. Reynolds’ request for federal assistance could help the county. He estimates Osceola is facing more than $500,000 worth of damages.
