Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Lee, Des Moines Counties Near Disaster Declaration

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-909002.mp3

Lee County, IA – Representatives of Iowa Homeland Security Emergency Management and FEMA toured Lee and Des Moines Counties June 14-15. They were there to survey the damage caused by storms that hit the region May 12-13.

Lee County Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Cirinna says more than $8-million dollars in damage to public property has been identified. He says Des Moines County had roughly $4.8-million while Lee County had about $3.4-million.

Cirinna says the counties met the qualification threshold for a Presidential Disaster Declaration. Iowa Governor Chet Culver has formally requested such a declaration on behalf of Lee and Des Moines Counties.

Cirinna says FEMA will review the application and make a final recommendation to the President. He says the declaration would give the counties access to federal funding to help with ongoing repairs or to reimburse for previously completed work.

Cirinna says much of the local damage was to levees and secondary roads. He says it could be several weeks before Lee and Des Moines Counties learn about the Presidential Disaster Declaration.