October 27, 2024

Jasper County flooding included in Gov Reynolds disaster proclamation

Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation Monday for Jasper and three other counties in response to flooding and severe weather beginning June 14 and continuing through Saturday night.

The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized in response to and recover from the effects of this severe weather. Recent heavy rains have caused water tables in Jasper County to rise, causing flash flooding and infiltration of residential basements and farmland.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the South Skunk River in Colfax crested Sunday at 18.3 feet, about two feet above flood stage. The river did not breach the city’s levy, but local officials noted the standing water in the Jasper County Fairgrounds and stress put on the city’s stormwater system.

Reynolds proclamation will allow Boone, Dallas, Jasper and Polk Counties access to the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for qualifying residents, along with the Disaster Case Management Program.

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 $41,560 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.

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. Report damage through the form provided by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

According to Jasper County Emergency Management Coordinator Jim Sparks, about 300 to 350 homes in Jasper County sustained some type of water damage — primarily from excessive rain and groundwater infiltration into basements, as well as sewer back-ups.

Prairie City has put out a social media call to residents with a significant amount of water in their basements. City manager Joe Bartello said the water has been a growing issue over the last 1.5 weeks, and Saturday’s rainfall accelerated the need for assistance.

“It had already saturated the ground enough and the heavy rain this weekend capped this off,” Bartello said.

The City of Baxter lost some of their drinking water pumping equipment, and Colfax Public Works director Bob Rhone said crews are working 24 hours per day pumping water from the wastewater treatment plant and out of the Jasper County Fairgrounds until the water table recedes.

“I doubt it will go any further than a limited home assistance program,” Sparks said. “It usually takes a pretty substantial amount of financial damage on public infrastructure before a presidential disaster declaration is made.”

Contact Mike Mendenhall at 641-792-3121 ext 6530 or at mmendenhall@newetondailynews.com