Gov. Reynolds announces programs to fund recovery for victims of state floods, tornados

Following a summer of disastrous floods and tornadoes, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced multiple new programs to help impacted farmers and citizens recover from damages.

“We’ve all seen the photos of the neighborhoods that have been leveled, of towns completely underwater, and they’re heartbreaking,” Reynolds said during a Thursday press conference. “To see it firsthand is unforgettable…farms that were completely submerged, homes, grain bins, equipment, underwater— gone.”

The Northwest Iowa floods resulted in vast devastation, impacting tens of thousands of Iowans. In Spencer alone, more than 380 people were rescued, 80 homes collapsed or caved in, and nearly half of the town’s buildings were damaged. 

Reynolds anticipates the number of impacted people and structures will only continue to grow. She reported more than $130 million in damages to public infrastructure, including roads, bridges and water treatment plants, have affected access and services communities.

“State, local officials, and emergency managers have been working together in real-time managing the ongoing response efforts related to the cleanup and restoration of critical infrastructure,” Reynolds said. “The disaster will continue to require a whole government approach at every single level to ensure a full recovery, and that’s what my intent is to deliver.” 

Housing options open up for those in need

Reynolds announced three new opportunities for Iowans impacted by flood and tornado disasters. The federal- and state-level initiatives will provide more than $17 million in funding for Iowans to repair damaged homes, seek temporary housing, and rebuild. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Temporary Housing Program is the first of its kind for Iowans. Reynolds said the program is typically for hurricane-prone states like Louisiana and Florida. The program will:

• Provide cost-free housing for up to six months, in various housing units such as hotels, trailers, and modular homes.
• Apply to Iowans that live in counties under the presidential disaster declaration. 
• Apply to individuals who have an uninhabitable home due to disaster damages.
• Open up a possibility for FEMA’s Direct Housing Commission Program for housing up to 18 months.

The $10 million State Disaster Recovery New Housing Grant Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan, will provide grant funds to developers for new housing. Applications open July 15 at iowagrants.gov. The grant will:

• Provide up to $50,000 per housing unit, with total project cost caps at $298,021 for a single-family until and $241,643 for a multi-family unit. 
• Apply to Iowans that live in counties under the presidential disaster declaration. 

The Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance plan will provide a five-year forgivable loan to repair impacted homes. Applications open July 15 at iowagrants.gov. The plan will:

• Utilize nearly $6.5 million of state funding for recovery
• Provide up to $50,000 to repair homes from damages

Farmers facing interest-accruing loans offered support

Reynolds also announced a new funding opportunity for impacted farmers to seek relief from damages. The Disaster Recover Farm Interest Program, launched July 11, provides a low-interest solution for eligible farmers impacted by the floods. 

The program will “reimburse one year of interest paid on eligible loans executed or amended after the earliest incident date of the federal disaster declaration for the county where the damage occurred,” up to $50,000, according to Reynolds.

“Hopefully we can start to provide some right to provide some certainty to farmers that are trying to move forward,” Reynolds said. 

Farmers interested in applying for the grant can do so here.