Governor Branstad surveys flood damage in Northeast Iowa

Left to right: Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds; Fred Schuster, Regional Director for U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley; Floyd Ashbacher of Winneshiek BOS; Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad; Iowa Sen. Michael Breitbach; Freeport flood victim Debbie Aske; Mark Schouten, Iowa Homeland Security Director

After issuing a disaster proclamation for the area, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa HSEMD Director Mark Schouten were in Winneshiek County on Friday morning to survey the damages from Wednesday's flood.

Governor Branstad's visit included stops at a home in Freeport, the Inwood Ballroom in Spillville, and the Community Center in Ft. Atkinson.

Governor Branstad's proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Program for residents in Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winnshiek counties, providing grants for up to $5,000 per household. Interested applicants must apply within 45 days to be eligible for relief. The grant application is available at dhs.iowa.gov/

(Photos by decorahnews.com's Clara Knudson. Click for larger image.)

Gov. Brandstad shakes hands with homeowner Hannah Hovden

In front of 2523 172nd Ave