Iowa Governor Seeks Federal Aid for Tornado Damage

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver said he will request federal funds to help eastern Iowa recover from tornadoes that struck last week.

Culver said he will seek Presidential Disaster Declarations for Louisa and Muscatine counties, both of which were hit hard Friday, June 1st by a twister that cut a 16-mile path from Grandview to Muscatine.

“There are many Iowa families that are homeless because of last week’s tornadoes, and I believe we must do everything we can to assist those families,” Culver said Tuesday in a statement.

According to the governor’s office, more counties could be added to the declaration if damage reports justify it.

Earlier this week, state officials toured the storm-damaged areas in eastern Iowa, assessing damage. Tornado damage stretched from Grandview in Louisa County, through Fruitland and into Muscatine, damaging or destroying more than 100 homes and businesses.

The storms caused an estimated $2.7 million in damage to public buildings, parks and recreation facilities. No estimate for damage had been released for the homes that were damaged or destroyed.