Finkenauer Takes Part in Derecho Damage Briefing in Benton County

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) met with Benton County officials on Monday morning, and received a derecho storm damage briefing from Benton County Emergency Manager Scott Hansen.

"I want to thank Scott and his team and all the local leaders for their hard work to keep folks in Benton County safe,” Congresswoman Finkenauer said. “The story in Benton County is similar to the story across our district: homes wrecked, businesses crushed, crops smashed and hearts broken. After nearly a week, people from outside of our state are finally starting to realize how bad the damage actually is, and we’re beginning to see some much-needed support."

Among those in attendance were mayors and city staff from more than ten Benton County communities.  

“I will continue standing with our communities and do everything I can to help piece lives and homes back together,” Finkenauer said. “There is never a good time for a disaster, but for this to come as people are already dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic makes it especially hard."

 Also on Monday, Finkenauer participated in a congressional delegation call with Alliant Energy for an update on the utility’s ongoing efforts to restore electricity to Cedar Rapids and other communities, where tens of thousands remain without power.

On that call, Alliant officials pledged to restore power to 90% of those impacted by the derecho by Tuesday night. Alliant officials also pledged to work on getting information and timelines to communities and families that continue to be without power.

Congresswoman Finkenauer continues to meet with residents and officials who were impacted by the rare derecho storm.  It 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. 

On Friday, Finkenauer visited storm damage in Marshalltown.  

On Thursday, 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, she attended a briefing with Cedar Rapids emergency officials.  

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.   

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.