Finkenauer Hosts Derecho Assistance Forum with FEMA and Local Leaders in Cedar Rapids
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer hosted a forum on Friday allowing legislative, county, and local officials from Linn County to meet with federal disaster relief officials about ongoing derecho recovery efforts.
Congresswoman Finkenauer led the event, which featured Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Federal Coordinating Officer DuWayne Tewes as well as representatives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. They were joined by about a dozen local elected officials and state legislators.
"Since day one after this storm, my office has been committed to opening clear lines of communication between folks who need help on the ground, local officials and our disaster-relief partners at the state and federal level,” Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. “Today was an opportunity to raise awareness around the work FEMA is now doing on the ground in Cedar Rapids, but also give local officials the opportunity to voice their concerns and get answers for their constituents."
"The ongoing issues are many — from questions about aid applications and appeal processes to continuing housing insecurity with cold weather just around the corner,” FInkenauer said. “I want to thank Mr. Tewes for taking the time to meet with us, and all the Linn County leaders who came to hold all of us accountable to Iowans in need."
Friday’s forum was attended by:
- FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer DuWayne Tewes
- Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Representative Dennis Harper
- Department of Housing and Urban Development Field Office Director Steve Eggleston
- Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart
- Cedar Rapids Councilwoman Ann Poe
- Cedar Rapid Councilman Scott Olson
- Cedar Rapids Councilman Dale Todd
- Fairfax Mayor Bernie Frieden
- Iowa State Sen. Todd Taylor
- Iowa State Rep. Tracy Ehlert
- Iowa State Rep. Louie Zumbach
- Iowa State Rep. Kirsten Running-Marquardt
- Linn County Supervisor Brent Oleson
Friday’s forum continued Finkenauer’s ongoing bipartisan efforts to help people in Iowa’s First Congressional District who have been devastated by the derecho.
Finkenauer’s Ongoing Derecho Relief Efforts:
The rare derecho storm affected more than 20 counties across Iowa, producing straight-line winds that exceeded 100 mph in several locations. Much of the damage took place in counties included in the First District. 550,000 homes were left without power and the total estimated damage is more than $3.9 billion.
On Tuesday, 9/1, Finkenauer issued a statement regarding FEMA’s approval of individual disaster assistance for 10 additional Iowa counties affected by the Aug. 10 Derecho, including Benton, Marshall, Poweshiek and Tama in the First District.
On Friday, 8/21, Finkenauer was joined by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) on Friday in calling on President Donald Trump to approve federal disaster aid for the Meskwaki Nation.
On Friday, 8/21, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue seeking information on potential USDA relief for farmers and producers affected by the derecho disaster.
On Thursday, 8/20, Finkenauer released a statement on the Administration’s approval of Individual Assistance for Linn County residents impacted by the derecho.
On Thursday, 8/20, Finkenauer visited the Meskwaki Nation in Tama to meet with tribal leaders and view damage from the derecho. Finkenauer also sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Thursday imploring him to approve the tribe’s request for federal disaster aid.
On Wednesday, 8/19, Finkenauer released a Disaster Resource Guide for constituents.
On Wednesday, 8/19, Finkenauer wrote to President Trump urging him to fully approve Iowa’s request for an expedited major disaster declaration, which includes individual assistance, and urged a waiver of local cost match.
On Monday, 8/17, Finkenauer took part in an electric restoration briefing with Alliant Energy.
On Monday, 8/17, Finkenauer visited Benton County to hear about local storm damage from local leaders and emergency management officials, and visited the Iowa Veterans Home.
On Sunday, 8/16, Finkenauer joined the full Iowa federal delegation in sending a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to accept Governor Kim Reynolds’ request for an expedited presidential major disaster declaration.
On Friday, 8/14, Finkenauer visited storm damage in Marshalltown, including the Iowa Veterans Home.
On Thursday, 8/13, Finkenauer hosted a briefing with Iowa Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Joyce Flinn.
On Thursday, 8/13, Finkenauer urged Reynolds to call for an expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration and joined Cedar Rapids city officials at a press conference to call for expedited federal aid and additional state resources as Cedar Rapids and communities across Iowa work to recover from Monday’s derecho storm.
On Wednesday, 8/12, she attended a briefing with Cedar Rapids emergency officials.
On Tuesday, 8/11, Finkenauer sent a letter to Governor Kim Reynolds seeking information and offering assistance in the wake of Monday’s storms that knocked out power and caused widespread damage across eastern Iowa.
If you need or someone you know has been affected by the storm and needs help, call 1-800-RED-CROSS. For information about state aid for food and health assistance, click here. To volunteer through the United Way of East Central Iowa, click here.