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Gov. seeks disaster funding for Cedar County after storms
News · March 27, 2024
On Feb. 13, Gov. Kim Reynolds requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration for 18 Iowa counties due to significant snowfall during the January winter storms.
The governor requested funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance Program for Adair, Black Hawk, Cedar, Clinton, Davis, Delaware, Dubuque, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Lucas, Montgomery, Polk, Scott, Story, Wapello, and Washington counties for the significant record-breaking snowfall that occurred between Jan. 8 through 14. According to Reynolds’ request, Cedar County recorded 14.8 inches of snow over three days. The record amount of snowfall is 18.5 over three days. Cedar County also reported nearly $152,000 in costs related to the storm. Also, Johnson County received about 13.5 inches in a single day, coming close to the record of 14.2 inches in one day. Reynolds’ letter states that Johnson County estimated more than $496,000 in costs associated with the storm response.
Just north of Cedar, Linn County saw 23.7 inches in three days, exceeding the three-day record of 23.5 inches. Dubuque County also set a new three-day record with 26 inches, surpassing the previous record of 19.2.
However, it was not the hardest hit among the 18 counties. That dubious title goes to Cedar’s eastern neighbor, Scott County, that measured 27.2 inches of snow over three days, exceeding the previous record of 18 inches.
The letter records actual low temperatures from -16 through -20 and wind chills throughout the state between -49 and -52 degrees. Wind gusts ranged from 26 to 33 mph.
Following a joint federal, state, and local damage assessment of the affected counties, it was estimated the significant snowfall resulted in more than $8 million worth of damage that could be eligible under the Public Assistance program.
Funding from this program is used to recoup costs related to snow removal, de-icing, salting, sanding of roads and other eligible facilities, and other emergency protective measures including but not limited to search and rescue and sheltering.
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