Winneshiek County named a federal disaster area in the wake of June's storms

College Drive was one of the many places with flood damage June 22nd

A Presidential Disaster Declaration has been approved for Winneshiek County and 18 Iowa counties in the wake of heavy rainfalls in June.  The disaster declaration also covers Allamakee, Clayton and Howard counties.

The declaration will provide long-term federal funding toward the recovery effort.  The funds can be used for the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities and may include debris removal, emergency protective measures, repair of damaged public property, loans needed by communities for essential government functions and grants for public schools.

The Presidential Disaster Declaration includes funding for programs to lessen the impact of future storms statewide.  With this funding, Iowa will be able to minimize the impact of future disasters by taking steps now to strengthen existing infrastructure.

This is Iowa's first Presidential Disaster Declaration in 2015.