Thursday, October 6, 2011
WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley today asked the top official of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to consider an appeal made by Governor Terry Branstad to make Iowans living in Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Pottawattamie and Woodbury counties eligible for individual disaster assistance.
"It`s only fair that residents of these Iowa counties be eligible for individual assistance, especially considering the latest about the magnitude and severity of the Missouri River flooding," Grassley said.
In June, the President issued a major disaster declaration in response to the flooding.
Grassley has met personally with FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate this year and pressed for Iowans to receive assistance that is equitable to that provided elsewhere.
Here is the text of Grassley`s October 6 letter to Fugate:
October 6, 2011
The Honorable W. Craig Fugate
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
500 C Street SW
Washington, DC 20472
Dear Administrator Fugate,
I respectfully ask that you consider the appeal that Governor Branstad submitted today for Individual Assistance for Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Pottawattamie, and Woodbury Counties. On June 27, 2011, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the State of Iowa in response to the record amounts of rain and snowmelt which led to unprecedented runoff in the Missouri River basin during the months of May, June, and July.
It is my understanding that additional information has been gathered since the original request was submitted that clarifies the magnitude and severity of this disaster. Individual Assistance will be vital in helping Iowans, who have endured prolonged hardship over the past four months, recover.
Thank you for your prompt consideration of this appeal.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator
