GREENFIELD – Governor Kim Reynolds announced Friday that President Biden has approved Iowa’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for counties where significant damage was sustained from severe storms and widespread flooding that occurred on May 21st. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration are now authorized to provide assistance to Adair, Polk, Story, and Montgomery Counties. Residents in these counties can now apply for FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program, which provides disaster-affected homeowners, renters, and businesses with programs and services to maximize recovery, including assistance with housing, personal property replacement, medical expenses, and legal services. In addition, the FEMA Public Assistance Program has been activated for Adair County. The Public Assistance Program provides funding for emergency work, such as debris removal and emergency protective measures.

IOWA – Another round of severe thunderstorms battered much of the state Friday morning. From border-to-border, multiple reports of power outages, tree damage, and brief tornadoes were reported to the National Weather Service as a line of storms pummeled weary residents who’ve seen multiple rounds of severe weather this spring. Greenfield, who was directly hit by a devastating EF-4 tornado, reported 75 miles per hour wind gusts as the line pushed through, and at one point, more than 26,000 MidAmerican customers were without power in central Iowa. More chances for severe weather are in the forecast mainly overnight Saturday into Sunday morning.