Webster and Hamilton counties have been declared disaster areas by Gov. Kim Reynolds because of recent storms.

The governor issued a disaster proclamation Tuesday. It is for the period that began Thursday and continues for 30 days.

Webster County Emergency Management Coordinator Dylan Hagen said there was storm damage in the Harcourt, Dayton and Burnside areas. He said most of that damage was from falling trees and tree branches. He said a new house under construction on Oak Avenue was blown down.

While the damage wasn’t massive or widespread, Hagen said he asked for the declaration so that anybody who needs financial help and meets the requirements can get that help.

Boone, Des Moines, Ida and Lyon counties were also declared disaster areas.

The governor’s proclamation does these things:

• Enables state resources to be used to recover from the effects of severe weather.

• Activates the Iowa individual Assistance Grant Program for residents who met income qualifications.

• Activates the Disaster Case Management Program.

• The state resources mentioned in the proclamation often refer to the use of Department of Transportation trucks and crews to help clean up. Hagen said that won’t be necessary.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program offers up to $5,000 for households that meet the income qualifications. For example, a family of three with an income up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level would be eligible. The money can be used for home or car repairs, replacement of food or clothing, and temporary housing expenses.

The grant application is available at https://dhs.iowa.gov/disaster-assistance-programs.

Residents will have 45 days to apply for grants.

The Disaster Case Management Program provides advisers to help Iowans recover from a disaster. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program. To apply, go to www.iowacommunityaction.org.

Tuesday’s action by Reynolds marked the second disaster declaration for Webster County this year.

On Feb. 23, President Joe Biden issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration in response to a severe storm on Dec. 15, 2021, that spawned eight tornadoes in the county. That declaration made federal funding available to cities and electric cooperatives to help them recover from the storm.