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A state disaster emergency proclamation will open some assistance opportunities to Webster County residents in the wake of severe storms last week.
Gov. Kim Reynolds issued the proclamation, which activated the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program for the county.
Webster County Emergency Management Coordinator Dylan Hagen asked Reynolds to include the county in her recent proclamation.
"If it helps one person, I would rather apply for it," Hagen said.
Webster County was hit by a pair of severe thunderstorms on May 21, which knocked down many trees and power lines. Later in the week, there was another heavy rain storm. A flood warning for the Des Moines River between Fort Dodge and Stratford was issued.
Reynolds proclamation is for the period starting May 21.
It activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Program for qualifying residents.
That program provides grants of up to $5,000. However, only households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible.
Those grants can be used for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses, according to an announcement from the governor's office.
Grant applications are available at homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance..
The state's Disaster Case Advocacy Program pairs residents who were hit hard by the storms with an advocate who provides guidance, advice and referrals to resources. There are no income eligibility requirements for that program. For information, contact iowacommunityaction.org.
Damage photos wanted by emergency management
Webster County residents who have property damage from storms are urged to send photos of the damage to Dylan Hagen, the county's emergency management coordinator, at dylan.hagen@webstercountyiowa.gov. Photos can also be sent to him via the Webster County Emergency Management Facebook page.
Please include the date, time and location with all photos.