Senator Tom Harkin on FEMA Flood Recovery Funds for Iowa

Harkin Announces Nearly $13.5 Million In FEMA Flood Recovery Funds For Benton, Louisa, Des Moines Counties And Cedar Rapids

June 9, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded Benton, Des Moines Counties, and the City of Cedar Rapids a total of $13,341,245.73 in federal grants to reimburse expenses caused by this past summer’s flooding. Today’s announcement is another step in the continuing process of rebuilding in the state.

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“As we approach the one year anniversary of these floods, we continue the rebuilding efforts,” said Harkin. “We’ve come a long way, but we still have further to go and it is reassuring to know that the federal government is continuing to lend a helping hand in flood recovery.”

Details of the grants are below.

$5,835,492.33 - Benton County, Benton County Law Enforcement Building: The entire building was impacted by mold growth and damages included the mechanical/HVAC and electrical equipment, drywall, carpet, window and door framing, and custom cabinets. These funds are meant to reimburse the Benton County for the replacement cost of the facility.

$4,544,981.10 – Louisa and Des Moines Counties Drainage District #4 – Main Ditch Slough Drainage District 412: The pump station was inundated with water to a height of 18 feet causing all maintenance records to be lost in the flooding. These funds are meant to reimburse for the costs of silt removal from the main ditch slough drainage district 412. Work will consist of reclaiming silt from the slough then reusing that material to reshape the slough to pre-disaster condition.

$1,638,155.70 – City of Cedar Rapids, Time Check Recreation Center – Due to the biohazardous conditions within the facility at the time of inspection, these project funds are meant to reimburse the City of Cedar Rapids for the costs to replace the building.

$1,322,616.60 - City of Cedar Rapids, GTC Montessori School: Damage to the building included but was not limited to drywall, acoustical ceiling and grid system, masonry wet wall, toilet partitions and accessories, carpet and vinyl composition tile, hollow metal doors and frames, electrical and mechanical systems. These funds are meant to reimburse the GTC Montessori School for the costs to remove and replace metal doors and frames, affected dry wall partitions, acoustical ceiling and grid system, carpet and vinyl flooring, electrical and mechanical systems, etc.

Source: Senator Tom Harkin