Rain, rain go away

If Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes, Iowa is certainly the land of 10,000 ponds.  Rain and more rain have been dousing parts of the state since Memorial Day weekend.   

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation Monday for seven counties, including Cerro Gordo, in response to flooding and severe weather that has occurred in Iowa since June 7.  It will allow state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather in those affected areas. At this time, the only state resource requested, according to the governor’s office, are the activation of the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant and Disaster Case Management programs.

According to official National Weather Service Coop data out of Mason City, Clear Lake has received 7.33 inches of rain this month.  The report for Mason City is 8.85 inches as of June 10.

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The majority of the rain fell Saturday.  Emergency weather sirens sounded in Clear Lake and Mason City Saturday mid-afternoon when a funnel cloud was reported at Leland.  Another was spotted at the Mason City Airport. No significant damage was reported there. As the storm continued east, the community of Rockford was damaged by straight line winds.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level or a maximum annual income of $41,560 for a family of three.

Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim, according to state officials.

Disaster Case Management is a program designed to address serious needs to overcome a disaster-related hardship, injury or adverse condition. Disaster case managers work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice and referral to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation, according to the governor’s office.

Report damage through the link provided at www.homelandsecurity.iowa.gov.

The governor’s proclamation also covers Allamakee, Bremer, Chickasaw, Floyd, Howard and Winneshiek counties.

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