(DES MOINES)  - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today were joined at their weekly press conference by Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department (HSEMD) Director Mark Schouten to brief Iowans regarding the flooding situation occurring across the state.

In the past week, Gov. Branstad has issued disaster declarations for the following counties due to flooding and storm damage: Buena Vista, Cedar, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Franklin, Hancock, Ida, Kossuth, Lyon, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sac, Sioux, Woodbury and Wright. Last week, Branstad and Schouten visited Lyon and Sioux counties to survey flood damage.

"Director Schouten and I had the opportunity to visit the communities of Rock Rapids and Rock Valley last week, and while the damage was significant, I was moved upon hearing of the outpouring of support the communities are receiving," said Branstad. "By issuing proclamations of disaster for these counties, state resources are being made available to help in relief efforts, but citizens across Iowa should rest assured that the state stands ready to continue its aid and will work to assess eligibility for assistance from the federal government."

Some of the resources that have been provided to date through Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management include :

• Buena Vista County

o   40 road barricades

• Cedar County

o   Inmate assistance for debris removal

• Franklin County

o   One 3-inch pump

o   Eighty clean-up kits

• Hancock County

o   Seventy-five clean-up kits

o   Pumps for the City of Klemme

• Lyon County

o   Pumps for the communities of Rock Rapids and George

o   Established a shelter in Rock Rapids for displaced residents

o   Traffic control support for Rock Rapids

• Plymouth County

o   20,000 sandbags

o   Pump for the City of Akron

• Pocahontas County

o   10,000 sandbags to protect the power utility substation in Rolfe

• Sioux County

o   250,000 sandbags

o   Five loads of sand from Iowa Department of Transportation to Rock Valley

o   Urban Search and Rescue Team provided lights for use in sandbagging efforts and assisted in the evacuation of 16 people

o   Six pumps for City of Rock Valley

o   Established a shelter in Rock Valley for displaced residents

o   30 road barricades

o   The Department of Inspections and Appeals provided evacuation assistance to the residents of Hope Haven in Rock Valley.

"Governor Branstad and I, in conjunction with the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department and other relevant state agencies, will continue to ensure Iowans in flood-affected communities receive the assistance they need to respond to and recover from the flooding," said Reynolds. "Flooding and flood recovery tend to last longer than other disaster situations, but Governor Branstad and I are committed to assisting Iowans in every way we can throughout the process."

Heavy rains caused flooding in parts of northwest Iowa as a band of strong storms passed through the state beginning on Monday, June 16, 2014, and continued through the last week. The Governor's Office and Iowa HSEMD re-launched Iowa Flood Central to provide Iowans and the press flood-related updates and resources.

"The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department, along with our partner agencies, will continue to assist and support the many communities impacted by this spring's flooding and severe weather," said department director Mark Schouten. "Right now, we are also working with local government officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assess the extent of the damage and determine if it warrants a request for federal disaster aid."

Editor's Note: Sunday's game was rained out. No word yet from the River Bandits as to when, or if, Anthony Bass will make his rehab start with the team.

Right-handed reliever will be second major leaguer in as many seasons to pitch rehab with River Bandits

DAVENPORT, Iowa. (June 21, 2014) - For a second consecutive season, the Houston Astros are sending a major league pitcher for a rehab assignment in the Quad Cities. Right-hander Anthony Bass is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with the River Bandits at Modern Woodmen Park Sunday.

Bass's rehab appearance is the first by a major leaguer for the River Bandits since Astros right-hander Josh Fields pitched a pair of two-inning scoreless outings May 10 and May 13 at Modern Woodmen Park during the 2013 season.

"Bringing major league rehabs to the Quad Cities has been a long time goal of the Bandits, and we are delighted to be getting our second MLB rehab in the past 14 months," said team owner Dave Heller. "Quad Cities fans deserve to be seeing major league talent in our beautiful ballpark, and we will continue to work to bring more major league players to this great community."

Bass, 26, is 1-0 with two saves and a 4.50 ERA in 15 appearances, totaling 18 innings, for Houston this season. When he was placed on the disabled list May 14 (backdated to May 11) with a right intercostal strain, Bass led the Astros with four holds, and he had allowed just a .239 opponent's batting average. Bass has made 90 career Major League appearances with San Diego (2011-13) and Houston (2014). He was acquired by the Astros from the Padres along with cash considerations for a player to be named later (left-hander Patrick Schuster) on Dec. 11, 2013.