Governor Terry Branstad, Tuesday, issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for Audubon County in response to recent storms and flooding. The county and other parts of western Iowa were hit by high winds and heavy rains on June 24th. Several outbuildings on farms were destroyed, and trees fell on homes. In the city of Audubon, a grain dryer at the West Central Cooperative toppled over, and ruptured a gas line. The incident triggered an evacuation and an hourlong closure of U.S. Highway 71.

The governor’s proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Program in Audubon County. The Iowa Individual Assistance Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or a maximum annual income of $39,060, for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and for the expense of temporary housing. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available at the “Disaster Assistance” link on the Iowa Department of Human Services website: www.dhs.iowa.gov

And, President Barack Obama issued a disaster declaration for 47 Iowa counties hit by recent storms and flooding. Branstad announced Tuesday that Obama had approved his request for a presidential declaration. The declaration means the counties will be eligible to receive federal funding for recovery efforts. Those funds could go to repairs, debris removal, loans for communities or grants to schools. Branstad also said that as part of this declaration the state will receive funding to take steps to strengthen infrastructure and limit the impact of future natural disasters.

Among the western Iowa counties included in the declaration are: Crawford, Greene, Monona and Sac.