BV misses out on disaster declaration

A major disaster declaration was announced this week for the State of Iowa, with 21 counties including several bordering Buena Vista County on the list. This declaration benefits counties that recently suffered significant damage from severe winter weather during storms occurring December 23 -- 27.

Counties designated for public assistance include Adair, Audubon, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Cherokee, Clay, Crawford, Emmet, Franklin, Fremont, Guthrie, Harrison, Ida, Monona, Page, Pottawattamie, Sac, Shelby, Sioux and Woodbury.

On January 29, five House Members of the Iowa Congressional delegation sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking that a major disaster declaration request made by Iowa Governor Chet Culver be approved.

Their letter had named local counties Buena Vista, Pocahontas and Palo Alto as well in the disaster declaration request, but these counties were left off the list at the federal level.

Officials at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said additional county designations are possible later, if the state pushes for them and depending on results of further damage assessments.

In the area disaster counties, federal funds will be available on a cost-share basis to city and county governments and state agencies for repairs and clean up, and to cover the cost of emergency measures and snow removal during the period.