DES MOINES - On Thursday Governor Chet Culver requested from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Black Hawk, Buchanan and Delaware Counties. The request includes programs to assist Iowans directly and to help government agencies and certain non-profit organizations rebuild infrastructure.

The request comes after Iowa’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD) and FEMA finished preliminary damage assessments for the counties affected an EF5 tornado that swept through the region on Sunday. A preliminary damage assessment (PDA) is the first step in determining whether federal assistance will be made available to those whose homes and businesses sustained storm damage.

“With these damage assessments completed, those affected by Sunday’s tornado are one step closer towards recovery,” said Governor Culver. “I have traveled to the region twice since Sunday, and have seen first-hand the outstanding response from local, state, and federal officials. It is my hope that FEMA will respond to our new request for assistance as quickly as possible. As Governor, I will do whatever necessary to speed up the recovery efforts and help return life to normal throughout Northeast Iowa.”

Joint damage assessment teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management have completed their review in the counties and gathered these preliminary damage estimates. Typically actual damages are much higher.

County Preliminary Damage estimate
Black Hawk $717,012
Buchanan $690,727
Butler $3,772,396
Delaware $631,305
Statewide total $6,011,724

Butler County was granted a Presidential Disaster Declaration on Tuesday, which freed up federal resources for those who suffered damage from Sunday’s tornado.