Governor declares Wright County a disaster area, storm clean-up continues

The following is a press release from Wright County Emergency Management Coordinator Jim Lester.

PRESS RELEASE

7-18-16  4PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The City of Eagle Grove continues their recovery process from the early Sunday morning storms.

Early this afternoon the Governor issued a disaster proclamation that includes Wright County. This proclamation allows for the use of state resources to assist the city with debris removal along public right of ways and also opens the Iowa Individual Assistance Program for Wright County residents impacted by the storm.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the current federal poverty level, or a maximum annual income of $40,320 for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and for the expense of temporary housing. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.

The boil advisory remains in place and the city will again be distributing water at the library from 4pm – 7pm today.

Tree debris should be placed at curb side and pick up arrangements are being coordinated through the Eagle Grove Public Works Department.

Eagle Grove Public Works expects to begin picking up debris on Wednesday morning asks for the public’s cooperation in this process by not parking on the street during the day on Wednesday and Thursday.

It is planned that the city will make a first round of debris clean up this week with a final round the middle of next week, allowing residents this coming weekend to finish their clean up and placing tree debris curbside.

The City of Eagle Grove has established a cooling area at the Eagle Grove Memorial Library meeting room for persons working on debris removal to get into a cool area and drink some water. This area will be open from 10am – 7pm daily through Friday.

The City of Eagle Grove and Wright County Emergency Management Agency is compiling information on damage. Please report all damage to property to the Eagle Grove City Hall at 515-448-4343 or the city website www.eaglegroveiowa.org.

Eagle Grove residents needing assistance with debris removal from their yards to the curbside are asked to call City Hall 515-448-4343 or go to the city’s website www.eaglegroveiowa.organd follow the directions. This is for tree removal only - no metals or household items.

The city has been contacted by several groups willing to provide assistance to residents and will do their best to coordinate these efforts.