Iowa Governor Culver Announces New Counties Added To Presidential Disaster Declaration

State Officials Update Iowans On Flooding Situation

June 17, 2008 -- (Johnston) - Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver announced that FEMA has approved a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Allamakee, Des Moines, Fremont, and Harrison Counties.They have been approved for individual assistance, and Clayton County for both individual and public assistance.

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Flooded Iowa house: Photo by talkradionews (CC)

In addition, Adams, Linn, Winnesheik, Grundy, Howard, Iowa, Marshall, Mitchell, Ringgold, Worth, and Wright were approved for public assistance under a Presidential Disaster Declaration.

“We continue to battle flood waters throughout our state,” said Governor Culver. “As we begin to focus our efforts on disaster recovery, this presidential disaster declaration will help thousands of Iowans get back on their feet. I will continue to do all I can and work with the Federal Government to ensure that all 83 counties I have covered under a disaster proclamation will be covered by a Presidential Disaster Declaration. As the flood waters recede, I have the utmost confidence that we will meet the challenges we face. Iowans are strong. Iowans are resilient. We will rebuild this state, and we will be stronger and better than before.”

Earlier today, David Miller, Administrator for Iowa Homeland Security Emergency Management joined with other state and federal officials to update Iowans on the flooding response and recovery efforts taking place across the state.

“Though waters are receding, many sections of our state are still threatened by flood waters, and we will continue this battle on every front” said Miller. “I want to thank the outpouring of support that we have seen on every level, from state, local, and federal government, as well as volunteers, first responders, and businesses that have joined together throughout this disaster.”

Tom Newton, Director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, reminded Iowans that Flooding has not been shown to be a risk factor for either tetanus or hepatitis A. Vaccinations are only needed under certain conditions. “If you have not received a tetanus booster in the last five years, or if you’re uncertain about your vaccinations, you should follow IDPH screening guidelines to see if you’re at risk and need a vaccination,” said Newton. “But remember, if your vaccinations are up to date, you do not need a tetanus shop.”

BELOW IS THE LATEST UPDATE FROM THE STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER IN JOHNSTON

AREAS OF CONCERN

*NEW* Burlington
With the levee break at Gulfport Illinois the river level has actually dropped.

Projections call for it to rise again, but unclear if it will crest now at historical levels.

Local officials have taken steps to heighten their levees and we are watching and monitoring the situation.

Iowa homeland security officials continue to closely monitor the situation with local officials and stand ready to support them with any requests they may have.

Approximately 500 National Guard soldiers are in the area to help local officials with flood preparation and response.

*NEW* Keokuk
It is expected to crest Thursday afternoon at 28 feet, which will beat the previous record of 27.6 feet.

Local officials have taken steps to heighten their levees and we are watching and monitoring the situation.

Approximately 500 National Guard soldiers are in the area to help local officials with flood preparation and response.

*NEW* Fort Madison
The Fort Madison Toll Bridge has reopened.

Local officials have taken steps to protect the local water treatment facility.

More than 200 National Guard soldiers are in the area to help local officials with flood preparation and response.

Ottuwma
The river has crested in Ottumwa. Though waters are receding, the threat remains that water control efforts could fail. Citizens are encouraged to use caution in the coming days.

Oakville
The community continues to be inundated with flood waters.

Cedar Rapids
Officials understand the frustration of Cedar Rapids residents who want to return home. They stress they are working to clear the evacuated area of all hazards to ensure a safe reentry. Sink holes, downed power lines and uncovered manholes remain a hazard. While the city’s water capacity has improved, residents are asked to conserve water. Linn county has established regular press briefings and residents are encouraged to tune to those for the latest information.

FATALITIES

There have been seventeen storm-related deaths since the tornado of May 25.

Fatalities:
8 Butler County (tornado)
1 Wright County (Flooding)
1 Palo Alto/ Curlew (lightning)
1 Hamilton County (Flooding)
4 Monona County (Tornado)
1 Linn County (Flooding)
1 Louisa County (Flooding)

A previous 18th fatality in Henry County is currently under investigation.

ROAD CLOSURES

Interstate 80 in Cedar County opened at 4:00 p.m. June 16. Interstate 380 from exit 4 to exit 10 in Johnson County is scheduled to open Tuesday at 6:00 a.m.

New Updates:
· Iowa 2 (off of U.S. 61): The Fort Madison toll bridge in Lee County (also known as the Santa Fe Swing Span Bridge) that connects Fort Madison, Iowa, and Niota, Ill., is open. The bridge is the eastern terminus of Iowa 2, and western terminus of Illinois Route 9. Although this route was reopened this afternoon, Illinois Routes 9 and 96 are closed by high water heading east and north from Niota. Illinois Route 96 southbound from Niota is the only route open once you cross the bridge into Illinois.

· U.S. 34 bridge in Burlington: A levee breech in Gulfport, Ill., caused the U.S. 34 bridge at Burlington, Iowa, to close. This bridge remains closed.
· U.S. 136 bridge at Keokuk: The U.S. 136 crossing at Keokuk is presently open to only local traffic. Flaggers are in place to assist motorists. This bridge will be closed overnight from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. to allow crews to work on raising the elevation of the road with rock and gravel.

· Quincy, Ill., crossings: The Bayview Bridge on Illinois Route 96 at Quincy is open and temporarily carrying traffic in both directions. The Memorial Bridge remains closed due to high water.

· Iowa 92 bridge at Muscatine: While the Iowa 92 bridge in Muscatine is open, several connecting roadways are closed, making it difficult to reach destinations beyond Muscatine. The state routes out of Muscatine currently include: Iowa 38 north to Interstate 80 and U.S. 61 east to the Quad Cities.

DECLARATIONS
Counties covered under Governor Culver’s Disaster Proclamation: 83 counties. Adair, Adams, Allamakee, Appanoose, Audubon, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clarke, Clayton, Crawford, Clinton, Dallas, Delaware, Dubuque, Davis, Decatur, Des Moines, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Fremont, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Howard, Humboldt, Henry, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Jefferson, Keokuk, Kossuth, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Marion, Marshall, Mitchell, Monona, Montgomery, Muscatine, Mahaska, Madison, Mills, Monroe, Page, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Scott, Story, Shelby, Tama, Taylor, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Webster, Winneshiek, Worth, Wright, Washington, Wayne, and Winnebago.

The Governor's proclamation activates Iowa's individual disaster assistance program. Iowa’s individual disaster assistance program helps people with low incomes. Iowans with household incomes of up to 130 percent of federal poverty guidelines may apply for a grant of up to $3,300 to help recover from flood damage. The Governor emphasized that this is a reimbursement program, meaning that applicants must include receipts when applying for help.

Counties declared presidential disasters for Individual Assistance: 29 counties. Allamakee, Des Moines, Fremont, Harrison, Clayton, Adams, Cedar, Jones, Louisa, Muscatine, Polk, Winneshiek, Benton, Bremer, Black Hawk, Butler, Buchanan, Cerro Gordo, Delaware, Fayette, Floyd, Hardin, Johnson, Linn, Marion, Page, Story, Tama and Union. Individual Assistance allows homeowners, renters, business owners and non-profit organizations to recover from the effects of severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began May 25 and continues.

Individual Assistance allows homeowners, renters, business owners and non-profit organizations to recover from the effects of severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began May 25 and continues.

Counties declared presidential disasters for Public Assistance: 27 counties. Adams, Linn, Winnesheik, Grundy, Howard, Iowa, Marshall, Mitchell, Ringgold, Worth, Wright, Clayton, Black Hawk, Boone, Buchanan, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Crawford, Dallas, Delaware, Dubuque, Floyd, Franklin, Marion, Story, Tama and Union. Public Assistance funds pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities. A series of applicant briefings will be held for local officials to explain the application process.

Public Assistance funds pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities. A series of applicant briefings will be held for local officials to explain the application process. Black Hawk, Buchanan, Butler and Delaware were previously included on the declaration for Public Assistance.

**NEW** Governor Culver has asked for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for all 83 Governor’s Declared Counties. Under the process he makes the request and FEMA makes the final determination on eligibility. In addition, the Governor continues to ask for the maximum available assistance from the Federal Government.

SHELTERS

American Red Cross Open Shelters:

Benton County
Iowa Braille School, 1002 G Avenue Vinton, IA 52349;

Black Hawk County
UNI West Gym, University Ave & Campus St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613;

Bremer County
Wartburg College, 222 9th ST NW, Waverly, IA 50677;

Des Moines County
West Burlington High School, 408 West Van Weiss Blvd., West Burlington, IA

Johnson County
Johnson County Fairgrounds, 4265 Oak Crest Hill Rd SE Iowa City, IA 52240; Northwest Jr High School, 1507 8th Street, Coralville, Iowa 52241;

Linn County
Viola Gibson Elm. School, 6101 Gibson Dr. NE Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404;
Prairie High School, 401 76th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 62404;

Louisa County
Louisa/Muscatine School, 14353 170th St, Letts, Iowa 52754;

Page County
Old Armory, 423 West Thomas, Shenandoah, Iowa 51601;

Polk County
Callanan Middle School, 3010 Center Street Des Moines, IA 50312;

**16 shelters are in standby mode throughout the State**

IMPORTANT NOTICES
Stay out of flood affected areas unless you have been told to be there. Emergency Management Officials need clear access to these areas, and unless you need to be there, stay away.

Evacuate Means Evacuate. If you are directed by local officials to evacuate, leave the area immediately. The situation remains dangerous, and to help protect the lives of Iowans, please leave if you are told to do so.

Be wary of unscrupulous practices. Disasters bring out the best in people, and can sometimes bring out the worst. Reports are sporadic at this time, but have indicated that Iowans affected by flood waters have been scammed by people posing as contractors or emergency personnel. Remember:

* Never pay for goods or services in advance
* Never give out your social security number
* Always ask for identification

EVACUATIONS
This is the latest information gathered in terms of the number of Iowans that have been evacuated as a result of this flood. In most cases local officials and emergency managers have allowed reentry.

Cedar Rapids-25,000 + 205 patients from Mercy Hospital
Palo-400 residential + 37 commercial
Iowa City-5,000
Johnson County Rural-299
Columbus Junction-1616
Fredonia-201
Townships, Tama, Jackson, Huron-350 (In Des Moines County)
Burlington-350
Oakville-442
Bettendorf (Duck Creek Area)-50
Montrose (Sandusky Area)-957
Eddyville-30
New Hartford and Greene-300
Decorah-1240
Freeport-230
Spillville-45
Fort Atkinson-50
Winneshiek Rural Areas-150
Toronto-26
Des Moines-240
East Peru-15
Elkader-220
Red Rock Area-85
36,231 evacuees

VOLUNTEER
Iowans interested in volunteering or donating are encouraged to visit the flood 2008 website at www.flood2008.iowa.gov. They can also contact the Iowa Concerns Hotline at: 800.447.1985.

WARNING
Please stay out of areas affected by flooding unless you are directed to be there. Emergency personnel need free access to these areas, and onlookers affect emergency operations.

KEY NUMBERS/WEBSITE
To obtain updated shelter information, call 1-800-GET-INFO (438-4636)

211 (regional call center to help people with human services)

Iowa Concern Hotline 1-800-447-1985 for volunteers and donations

Road Closures Hotline 1-866-452-8510 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily or 24 hours at www.511ia.org.

To apply for federal assistance, contact FEMA at www.fema.gov.

To apply for the State Individual Assistance program contact the Iowa Department of Human Services at dhs.iowa.gov and click the "storm help" link.

For current weather forecasts and flood statements, visit http://www.weather.gov.

Source: Iowa Governor