The City of Hawarden has been awarded nearly $1 million in federal funding to acquire properties damaged during the devastating June 2024 floods.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the city will receive $997,855 through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The funding will be used for property acquisitions resulting from FEMA Disaster 4796, which covered the severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds and tornadoes that struck Iowa in June 2024.
Property acquisition projects are designed to remove structures from high-risk flood areas, helping reduce future disaster losses while allowing affected property owners to voluntarily sell damaged properties.
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley welcomed the funding announcement, saying communities across northwest Iowa have worked hard to recover from last year’s disaster.
“In the face of severe weather, the community has worked hard to come back and thrive. I’m glad to see this money heading to Hawarden to help them continue repairing and rebuilding. In the Senate, I’ll keep working to ensure our state gets the funding needed to invest in our communities and rebuild after tragedy strikes.”
The grant is authorized under Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, which funds projects intended to reduce future disaster damage.
Other Northwest Iowa Projects Receive FEMA Assistance
The Hawarden grant was part of more than $11.2 million in FEMA funding announced for projects across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.
In addition to the Hawarden award, Rock Rapids Municipal Utility received more than $138,000 through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program to repair or replace meters and regulators damaged during the disaster. The City of Spencer also received more than $118,000 to repair or replace portions of its citywide sewer system.
FEMA also announced more than $330,000 for Marion County to improve warning and alert systems through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
FEMA says the funding is intended to help communities recover from disasters while investing in projects that strengthen infrastructure and reduce damage from future severe weather events.
