More than $3 million in federal disaster funding is headed to northwest Iowa for infrastructure repairs in Sioux County and efforts to reduce future flood damage in Rock Rapids.
Two announcements released Thursday detail nearly $813,330 for Sioux County and more than $2.2 million for property acquisitions in Rock Rapids.
Sioux County Receives Two Awards
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is awarding Sioux County a combined $813,328.34 following the severe storms and flooding that struck the area in June 2024.
The larger of the two awards provides $676,302.02 to Sioux County Secondary Roads. The funding will be used to repair or replace a bridge damaged by severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes.
An additional $137,026.32 is being awarded to the Sioux County Conservation Board to repair or replace park buildings damaged by the same disaster.
The funding is authorized under Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
“Iowans know what it takes to build back from severe weather,” Grassley said. “It’s encouraging to see the Department of Homeland Security award Sioux County with over $800,000 in grants to help this community rebuild.”
Rock Rapids Properties to Become Open Space
In a separate announcement, FEMA said it is awarding more than $2.2 million to Iowa for the acquisition of 16 properties in Rock Rapids.
The properties will be demolished and the land converted to open space. The funding comes through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which supports projects intended to prevent, eliminate or reduce damage from future disasters.
FEMA says it coordinates directly with the state on hazard mitigation projects.
The Sioux County and Rock Rapids projects were included in more than $16 million in post-disaster funding announced Thursday for Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. That regional funding includes more than $14.2 million through FEMA’s Public Assistance program and more than $2.4 million through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
