(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says she’ll be submitting the paperwork Monday for a FEDERAL disaster declaration for areas of the state that have been devastated by last Monday’s derecho. “There’s criteria that you have to make, so we’ve got people doing surveillance,” Reynolds says. “…Realistically, by the time we collect the information, that’s just how long it’s going to take.”

Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management director Joyce Flinn says civil air patrol planes were in the air Friday afternoon, helping to chart the damage.  “They’re flying several of the county areas to do GIS mapping of debris piles because one of things we have to do is give the federal government an idea of the magnitude of the disaster,” Flinn says. “We have estimates from utility companies. We’re verifying those and there is detailed information that has to go into that process.”

Governor Reynolds has declared 27 of Iowa’s 99 counties disaster areas, but neither Reynolds nor Flinn indicated how many of those counties might be included in Monday’s application.  “The governor did ask if I could get this done today. It’s the only time I’ve told her: ‘No.’ We could not get it done this quickly,” Flinn says, “but we’re working on it and we will have a letter prepared for her signature so she can submit that declaration on Monday.”

Flinn and Reynolds spoke early Friday afternoon, at a news conference at the Cedar Rapids Fire Department. Reynolds told reporters she has talked with President Trump earlier this week and with Vice President Pence yesterday (Thursday) to lay the groundwork for a quick response, once the request is formally presented.

DES MOINES– Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Friday, issued a disaster proclamation in response to a severe weather system that moved across Iowa and caused widespread damage August 10. The proclamation now allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather in Cass and Guthrie counties. The proclamation also activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for qualifying residents, along with the Disaster Case Management Program.

Governor Reynolds previously declared a disaster and activated the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Management Program for 25 other Counties, including: Audubon, Dallas, and Madison in the KJAN listening area. Proclamations may be issued for additional counties.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant 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 $43,440 for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.

Disaster Case Management is a program to address serious needs to overcome a disaster-related hardship, injury or adverse condition. Disaster case managers work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice and referral to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation. For information on the Disaster Case Management Program, contact your local community action association or visit www.iowacommunityaction.org.

The suspension of regulatory provisions pertaining to weight limits and hours of service for disaster repair crews and drivers delivering goods and services and the movement of loads related to responding to the severe storm system throughout the state of Iowa remains in effect.

Iowa residents of counties impacted by the recent severe weather are asked to report damage to help local and state officials better understand the damage sustained. Damage to property, roads, utilities and other storm-related information may be reported. This information will be collected by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and shared with local emergency management agencies.

The sounds of children’s voices are starting to fill the classrooms and playground at the new Red Oak Child Development Center (ROCDC). The Montgomery County Child Development Association Board of Directors, ROCDC Staff, Red Oak Community School District (ROCSD) Staff and representatives from the Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association along with their children celebrated the official ribbon cutting for ROCDC Friday August 14th at 10am.

photo submitted

Laura Kloewer, Montgomery County Child Development (MCCDA) Board Vice-Chair, said “We have come so far in in the last two years, we’ve overcome so much and now to be here today and to see the playground filled with children; there are just no words. Thank You.”

The event was small and socially distanced with attendees wearing masks, but you could still hear the excitement in the voices of Kelly Osheim, MCCDA Board Chair and Jacque Howell, ROCDC Director as they addressed the group. The Red Oak Chamber and Industry congratulated and welcomed ROCDC to the community and the children in attendance gathered around to help hold the ribbon and make the ceremonial cut. Teachers then welcomed board members and attendees into their classrooms to show them around.

Monday August 17th ROCDC doors will officially open their doors and according to Howell the classrooms are almost full. The centers fundraising success tells the story of the community’s support. With almost $900,000 raised of their $1,000,000 goal the fundraising committee is thrilled. “We are so close to our goal” said Osheim “When the pandemic hit we knew the need for childcare would be even greater and we need to keep moving with our fall open date, but we were worried what fundraising would look like. Our community has been behind this project 100% though and their generosity has made this dream a reality.”

The Red Oak Child Development Center is located in the Red Oak Community School District’s Early Childhood Center (formerly Washington School) and will offer full and part time care to children ages 6 weeks – 12 years old. If you are interested in getting more information please visit www.redoakcdc.org or check out their Facebook page.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State officials say 75 more students who were moving back to campus have tested positive for COVID-19. The university announced Friday that it tested 3,472 students between Aug. 7 and Thursday. The 75 students who had the virus represents a 2.2% positivity rate. That’s the same positivity rate the school announced last week when 66 positive cases were found among the 3,037 students tested.

Students began moving back to campus July 31 and will continue to return through Sunday, with classes beginning Monday. The university has reserved two halls for students to quarantine, or they can quarantine at home if possible.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is pushing back against criticism that she has been slow to respond to a wind storm that devastated the state. She’s promising help for tens of thousands of residents entering their fifth day without electricity. Reynolds says that 100 members of the Iowa National Guard arrived in hard-hit Cedar Rapids on Friday to help clear tree debris that’s blocking downed power lines.

She says she has commitments from the state’s largest utilities for customers to have power restored by Tuesday. Reynolds says she will submit the state’s request for a federal disaster declaration on Monday after completing damage assessments.

FORT MADISON – Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Corrections report a correctional officer was assaulted by two inmates at approximately 6:30 p.m. Thursday, at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. Authorities say the officer was conducting his rounds on a unit when two inmates began assaulting him with closed-fist punches and kicks. The officer utilized defensive techniques while additional staff quickly responded to the assault and took control of the situation by using a combination of pepper spray and physical restraining techniques.

The officer that was assaulted was taken by department vehicle to the local hospital where he was treated and released for lacerations suffered during the assault. The inmates that attacked him were found not to have suffered significant injuries. The incident remains under investigation.