Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster declaration on Monday for seven Iowa counties hit hard by flooding and severe weather this past weekend. Counties included in the proclamation are Allamakee, Bremer, Chickasaw, Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Howard, and Winneshiek counties.

The disaster declaration means financial help for property owners in the affected areas. The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 to households with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level, or about $41,560 for a family of three. Grants are available for things like home and car repairs, replacement of clothing and food and temporary housing. Applicants have the next 45 days to submit a claim.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down briefly in Buchanan County.  The twister hit Saturday night near the town of Winthrop just after 9:30 p.m. Officials say the tornado was on the ground for about 500 feet and torn the roof off of a nearby home. Top wind speeds were around 95 miles per hour.

 

[via CBS2]

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