(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, today, issued statements on the USDA disaster designation of four additional Iowa counties as primary natural disaster areas and six counties listed as contiguous disaster counties due to the drought.
On July 16, Gov. Branstad sent a letter to Sec. Vilsack requesting a drought disaster declaration for impacted Iowa counties. The letter to Sec. Vilsack can be viewed here. As a result, 42 Iowa counties were designated as disastrous on Aug. 1.
Gov. Branstad released the following statement:
"Today's disaster designation of 10 additional Iowa counties demonstrates the impact that the drought has made on Iowa's agricultural industry. The Lt. Governor and I would like to extend our gratitude towards Sec. Vilsack in recognizing the needs of these additional counties. This disaster designation will provide affected Iowans with additional resources during these difficult times."
Lt. Gov. Reynolds released the following statement:
"The governor and I know that farmers can and will overcome the current drought conditions, and we will continue to work with federal and state partners to provide necessary resources for Iowans."
