Northwest Iowa counties, cities and school districts will receive more than $16 million through two rounds of federal funding for storm recovery, flood mitigation and future emergency preparedness.
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley’s office announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency awards in two separate releases. The first includes nearly $17.5 million statewide for damage and recovery costs associated with severe storms in 2020, 2024 and 2025. The second provides more than $9.1 million through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
The northwest Iowa awards listed in the two announcements total $16,132,169.45.
“Following multiple severe storms, the Hawkeye State has shown great resilience as Iowans continue to rebuild,” Grassley said. “I’m glad to see FEMA move these funds out the door and into Iowa communities where they can be put to good use. In Washington, I’ll keep fighting to ensure our state gets the resources we need for continued recovery.”
Lyon and Sioux Counties Receive Largest Regional Shares
Lyon County recipients will receive more than $5.87 million.
Seven awards totaling more than $5.36 million will support Lyon County Secondary Roads projects involving bridges, culverts, pipes and related components damaged by severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds and tornadoes.
That includes nearly $1.4 million for permanent repairs to the Riverside 13W Bridge. FEMA says high-velocity floodwater caused catastrophic damage and carried away the bridge’s superstructure and deck.
The Lyon County Fair Association will receive an additional $515,431.57 for repairs or replacements involving buildings, contents, road surfaces and guardrails.
Sioux County-related awards total nearly $3.45 million. Sioux County Secondary Roads will receive $572,625 for bridge-related repairs or replacement.
Four additional grants totaling more than $2.87 million will allow Sioux County to acquire seven residential structures substantially damaged by flooding and cover the county’s costs for managing those projects.
Rock Valley, Spencer, Cherokee and Estherville Projects
The City of Rock Valley will receive more than $2.6 million to cover eligible emergency-response costs from the June 2024 flooding. The award involves volunteer labor and donated equipment used for sandbagging, evacuations, rescue operations and debris cleanup.
The Rock Valley Community School District will receive $150,746.74 for protective measures taken to reduce threats to public health, safety and property. Together, the city and school district awards total more than $2.75 million.
The City of Spencer will receive more than $1 million to remove properties substantially damaged by storms and flooding that posed a threat to public health and safety. The Spencer Community School District will receive $613,809.42 for costs connected to managing its Public Assistance grants.
Cherokee will receive $298,009.50 for repairs or replacement of road surfaces, bases and embankments damaged by severe weather.
Estherville will receive $133,600 for property acquisitions, elevations, mitigation reconstruction and floodproofing.
Clay County Secondary Roads will receive $101,250 to repair or replace bridge approaches, decks and guardrails damaged by severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds and tornadoes.
Sioux City and Correctionville Included in Regional Funding
Sioux City will receive more than $1.2 million for permanent repairs to its wastewater treatment plant. FEMA says flooding and increased debris intake severely damaged equipment at the facility.
Correctionville will receive $673,784.83 for property acquisition, elevations, mitigation reconstruction and floodproofing.
Statewide Management Funding and Other Beneficiaries
Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management will receive $542,509.13 for management costs associated with severe storms.
Other beneficiaries listed in the two announcements include Grinnell Regional Medical Center; the cities of Minden, Slater, Newton, Urbandale, Grimes and Redfield; several drainage districts; the Polk County Conservation Board; Monona County Secondary Roads; and emergency-management agencies in Dallas and Jasper counties.
The two rounds of FEMA awards provide more than $26.6 million in combined funding statewide.
