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Branstad requests federal help for Iowa counties

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May 23rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad has requested a presidential disaster declaration to help 19 Iowa counties affected by severe weather last month. Branstad wants to use public assistance funds to rebuild roads, bridges and other damaged infrastructure affected by heavy rains, thunderstorms and flooding between April 17 and April 30. The money also can be used to cover emergency work and debris removal.

Branstad signed a letter Thursday that will be delivered to President Barack Obama. It requests the declaration for areas along a swath of central, eastern and southern Iowa, including Ringgold, Appanoose, Cedar and Warren counties. Officials say the 19 counties sustained an estimated $8.9 million in damage that could be eligible for public assistance funds.