US

Iowa Governor Asks For $4 Billion In Disaster Relief After Storm Kills 3, Ravages State

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Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Sunday that she’s seeking over $4 billion in federal aid through a disaster declaration to recoup losses that followed a devastating storm last week.

The state was hit with a derecho, a widespread windstorm, that ripped through around 8,200 homes and 13 million acres of corn, Reynolds said in a press conference, according to the Associated Press. She estimated the total damage to be $4 billion and said one-third of the state’s agriculture land was mangled, the AP reported.

On my way to Davenport to view storm damage. Crop damage significant and wide spread. pic.twitter.com/34q3EgChri

— Kim Reynolds (@KimReynoldsIA) August 12, 2020

Three people were killed by the storm and half a million were without power in the immediate aftermath, according to the news wire. A total of 83,000 people did not have electricity as of Sunday evening, the AP reported.

Utility crews are working around the clock to restore electrical service and fix storm damage. Crews are staging at the State Capitol Complex in Des Moines. To the crews from Iowa and across the country, thank you for your tireless work! pic.twitter.com/JnPUQNwcTA

— Gov. Kim Reynolds (@IAGovernor) August 12, 2020

The $4 billion requested sum, includes $3.78 billion for agriculture, $100 million for utilities, $45 million for emergency assistance and around $82 million for damage to homes, according to the AP.

Republican Iowa congressional candidate Ashley Hinson alleged the coverage from the national news media on the extent of the storm has been lackluster in a Sunday Facebook post.

“While it was just a blip on the national radar, the “land hurricane” that hit Iowa last Monday has upended Iowans homes and their livelihoods,” Hinson wrote. “The derecho storm raged through our communities around lunchtime on Monday. I was huddled in the basement with my kids as the power went out and we watched water leak through our downstairs door.”

“Maybe if derecho had knocked over a statue, or made its way further east to the Hampton’s, perhaps then it would catch the eyes of a few national reporters,” she wrote. “The national media has overlooked this disaster. There was a recent Bloomberg story that highlighted a four-hour power outage in California, while Iowans are left wondering if anyone will pay attention as we approach a full week without power.”