Due to the extent of damage in Greene County, the Governor’s Office has added the County to the disaster proclamation. 

Greene County Emergency Management Coordinator Dennis Morlan tells Raccoon Valley Radio there is an estimated $15 million worth of damage so far across the county. It is because of the amount of damage that Morlan applied to be included in the proclamation, along with 19 other Iowa counties as a result from Monday’s storm. 

With Greene County included in the disaster proclamation, individuals can apply for the Individual Assistance Grant Program that provides up to $5,000 per household with incomes of up to 200-percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are for home or car repairs, replacing clothing or food and temporary housing. Residents can also apply for Disaster Case Management to address serious needs from disaster-related hardships, injuries or adverse conditions. Individuals can apply through Greene County New Opportunities. 

Additionally, Greene County Supervisor Chair John Muir advises residents that live near a downed powerline on their property to not approach it. 

“I wouldn’t go anywhere near it. More than likely if your power isn’t on that line isn’t going to do anything to help you out, and the danger involved with those is just frightening. We don’t want an injury to anybody when we didn’t have any right during the storm.”

Morlan urges residents to purchase a weather radio or have a weather app on their cell phone that warns them for the next time  a storm threatens Greene County. He explains the severe weather sirens are meant for individuals who are outside and may not be able to be heard inside a building. 

Jefferson Police Chief Mark Clouse says officers responded to several down power line incidents Monday afternoon but there were no vehicle crashes as a result from the storm. He says there was lots of property damage including at Cobblestone Inn and Suites, Super 8 Hotel, Holiday RV, storage facilities at Tri-County Lumber and a couple of semis that had blown over. Clouse notes the incredible effort he saw from neighbors and other community members that helped each other clear debris following the storm.

Morlan expresses his appreciation to public safety, public works and road crews that pitched in and helped when needed. He adds that while material things can be replaced, he’s grateful no one was killed because “you can’t replace a human life.”