Governor Asks for Presidential Disaster Declaration

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad is asking President Barack Obama to issue a presidential disaster declaration for 19 Iowa counties to aid recovery from damaging storms in June.

Branstad announced Wednesday he was sending a letter to Obama that seeks the declaration for Allamakee, Appanoose, Butler, Clayton, Dallas, Davis, Des Moines, Guthrie, Howard, Jefferson, Lee, Lucas, Marion, Mitchell, Monroe, Warren, Wayne, Winneshiek and Wright counties.

They were damaged by winds, tornadoes, heavy rain, hail and thunderstorms from June 20 to 25.

A preliminary damage assessment found the weather caused $5.1 million in damage that would be eligible for aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Assistance Program.

That program aids the rebuilding of damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges and public facilities. It also covers the cost of debris removal.