Iowa Gets $125 Million in Federal Grants for Tornado, Flooding Recovery

Iowa lawmakers announced on Nov. 24 that the state will get $125 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for flood and tornado recovery efforts.

Gov. Chet Culver said the money is part of more than $6 billion in supplemental funding for states recovering from natural disasters. It was approved by Congress in September and HUD allocated more than $2.1 billion this week.

Culver said Iowa still has a large amount of unmet needs as a result of last summer’s floods and storms.

“I am hopeful that Iowa’s next allocation of emergency funding from HUD will be more significant, and I will continue to work with our members of Congress to make sure HUD hears our unified voice,” he said in a statement.

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said the funds will help recovery efforts that still have a long way to go.

“Even though some progress has been made helping individuals, families and businesses piece together their lives, there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done,” he said in a statement.

The Community Development Block Grants “are critical” in the state and local recovery, said Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa.

He promised to “continue my work in Congress to secure additional funding to ensure a swift and robust recovery.”

Iowa had already received more than $157 million in Community Development Block Grants funds.

Also on Wednesday, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, announced more than $600,000 in grants to eight communities through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

“The storms Iowans saw last summer show just how important first responders are to local safety,” Grassley said. “This money will help make sure these fire departments have the equipment and personnel necessary to keep the community safe.”