Jasper County is included in the Governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency

Governor Kim Reynolds authorized a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for Jasper County along with Adair, Adams, Cass, Clay, Hardin, Harrison, Kossuth, Marshall, Montgomery, Page, Palo Alto, Pottawattamie, Tama, and Warren Counties in response to the severe weather that occurred on May 21. The proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of the severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program for the 15 counties listed in the proclamation.

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. 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 Homeland Security and Emergency Management website. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.   

The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case advocates work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referrals 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. For information on the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, contact Impact Community Action Partnership or the Iowa Community Action Association.  

The proclamation also temporarily suspends regulatory provisions of the Iowa Code that pertain to procurement of goods and services, hours of service for disaster repair crews, and various requirements for the transportation of loads related to disaster repairs. 

Jasper County Emergency Management (EMA) is asking residents to report storm damage on its website to help the EMA better understand the storm event that caused damages. Contact information contained in a damage report will be kept confidential pursuant to Iowa Code § 22.7 (18).