WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley has asked the President to grant the request made today by Governor Terry Branstad for a declaration of a major disaster in response to the severe weather earlier this month in Benton, Marshall, Story and Tama counties.
In a letter of request sent today to President Barack Obama, Grassley said, "The Governor determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments to handle effectively and federal assistance is needed."
On July 15, Grassley went to see local residents and community leaders coping with the aftermath of these storms in Vinton, Garrison and Dysart.
Here is the text of Grassley`s letter to the President:
July 27, 2011
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I respectfully ask that you grant the request made by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad for a declaration of a major disaster for the State of Iowa as a result of severe weather that has produced hail, heavy rains, high winds, and thunderstorms beginning on July 9, 2011 and continuing. This weather system moved into Iowa and severely impacted Benton, Marshall, Story, and Tama Counties.
The Governor determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments to handle effectively and federal assistance is needed.
Thank you for your prompt consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator
