DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds has requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration for seven Iowa counties where significant damage was sustained from spring flooding. 

The governor requested funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance Program for Allamakee, Clayton, Des Moines, Dubuque, Jackson, Lee, and Scott counties for the Mississippi River flooding that occurred from April 24-May 13, 2023.  

Following a joint federal, state, and local damage assessment of the affected counties, it was estimated the flooding caused more than $6 million worth of damage that could be eligible under the Public Assistance program. Funding from this program is used to rebuild damaged infrastructure that may include roads, bridges, culverts and other public facilities, or to cover costs of emergency work during, and debris removal after, severe weather. 

In addition, the governor requested funding to conduct hazard mitigation activities for the entire state.