Finkenauer, Iowa Delegation Join Together to Urge President Trump to Approve Major Disaster Declaration Request

August 16, 2020
Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) and the Iowa Federal Delegation sent a letter to President Donald Trump Sunday evening urging him to approve the state’s request for an expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds requested the declaration Sunday afternoon in order to secure additional federal resources for the Iowa communities devastated by last week’s derecho storm, including Cedar Rapids and Marshalltown.

Finkenauer is joined on the letter to the president by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Representatives Cindy Axne (IA-03), Dave Loebsack (IA-02) and Steve King (IA-04).

In the letter, the senators and representatives wrote, “We respectfully ask that you promptly grant the request made by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds for an expedited review of the major disaster declaration for the State of Iowa as a result of severe storms on August 10, 2020."

They also wrote, “The storm damage to residential and commercial structures along with the extended periods of power outages, many still without power, has exacerbated the situation for residents already experiencing financial and food insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wind damage also caused devastating impacts to agricultural land. It is estimated that 13 million acres of corn was lost, just prior to harvest, devastating the agricultural industry. These lost acres account for approximately 33 percent of cropland across the state."

"I am incredibly happy to see this expedited request for a major disaster declaration, and will do anything and everything to see it fulfilled. Our neighbors need help and they need it now." Congresswoman Finkenauer said.
 
"I hope President Trump moves quickly and hears the calls from our state. We cannot afford to waste anymore time as Iowans are without power, homes, and food.” Finkenauer said.

Congresswoman Finkenauer urged Reynolds to call for an expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration last Thursday. Finkenauer also joined Cedar Rapids city officials at a press conference last Thursday 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. This followed Finkenauer’s briefing from Cedar Rapids’ emergency officials on Wednesday. 

Friday, Finkenauer visited storm damage in Marshalltown. 

On Tuesday, 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.  

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.

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.