Guthrie County has recently been added to the list of counties issued a disaster declaration by Governor Kim Reynolds in response to the August 10th severe weather system.

Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Kempf says the declaration activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Management Program, for which Dallas and Greene counties are also eligible. The grant program provides up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level or a maximum annual income of $43,440 for a family of three. These grants are for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses.

Kempf explains how the Governor’s proclamation does not cover crop damage, “I’m sure that Adair and Guthrie county, or at least Guthrie County, maybe not Adair because they weren’t affected quite as much, but Guthrie County will through the FSA (Farm Service Agency) I’m sure here within the next week or so will be declared a disaster county for that. But being declared for that has absolutely nothing to do with the other disaster declarations.”

Disaster Case Management addresses serious needs to overcome a disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse condition, and there are no income requirements for the program. Applicants for the individual assistance grants have 45 days from when their county’s proclamation was issued to submit a claim. Those seeking assistance can contact Kempf at 641-332-3030.