Recovering and rebuilding together

Our communities have faced – and continue to experience – catastrophic flooding that has devastated homes, farms, businesses, schools, and hospitals. Families have lost cherished possessions, businesses face costly cleanup, and farmers have lost crops. However, despite this challenging time for our district, Iowans are resilient. Neighbors are stepping up to help neighbors, farmers are deploying their payloaders to haul away debris, and communities are coming together to recover and rebuild. It’s inspiring to see how Iowans unite in times of crisis.

On Monday June 24, following the worst of the flooding in Northwest Iowa, I was with Governor Reynolds and Lieutenant Governor Gregg in Hawarden, Rock Valley, Rock Rapids, Spencer, and Cherokee surveying flood damage and meeting with emergency management, law enforcement, and local residents. We even had the opportunity to chat with Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, Stephen Osborn. 

My team has also been on the ground in Estherville, Emmetsburg, Correctionville, Algona, and Humboldt to see flood damage firsthand, meet with local officials, and assess how best our office can help. We will continue to visit communities affected by this catastrophic flooding and work to get assistance to those impacted.

The next day, on Tuesday June 25, Governor Reynolds’ and my request for a major disaster declaration was approved by President Biden for Clay, Emmet, Lyon, Plymouth, and Sioux Counties. This decision will help our families recover, our businesses keep their doors open, and our communities rebuild. But our work is far from over. I will continue to work with Governor Reynolds and our partners at the federal level to secure relief for more communities in more counties that were impacted by severe flooding.

In the meantime, I want to share important information about disaster recovery and assistance for those beginning the cleanup process. Iowans can call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 – a helpline that runs from 7 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week – to apply for disaster relief or visit www.disasterassistance.govfor more information. Homeowners, businesses, renters, and nonprofits can call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistnaceto secure federal aid. 

Additionally, an SBA Business Recovery Center has officially opened in Sioux Center to help businesses get guidance and secure relief from flooding. The address is 251 N. Main Avenue, #212, Sioux Center, IA 51250 and it is open Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM. You can also call my office at 202-225-4426 or visit my Natural Disaster Resource Center on my website at Feenstra.House.Gov to find a full list of resources, contact information, and other assistance for flood and storm recovery.

Finally, I want to note a few legislative items that I’ve supported to help our communities with flooding. The Farm Bill – which I supported when it passed out of the House Agriculture Committee in May – includes increased crop insurance protections so that our farmers receive fair compensation for lost crops. I’ve also called on the USDA to deliver accurate indemnity payments to producers who have lost livestock. 

On the tax side, I voted for – and the U.S. House of Representatives passed in January by wide margins – the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act. Among many important provisions, this legislation would deliver relief to our communities impacted by catastrophic flooding by allowing taxpayers to deduct unreimbursed losses from the floods from their federal income taxes. This would give Iowans more breathing room in their budgets as they face greater expenses from the floods.

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted by the devastating flooding. We will do everything possible to ensure that our families, farmers, and businesses have the resources and tools that they need to come out of this catastrophe stronger. These are tough times for our communities, but together, we will recover and rebuild.