‘The Devastation Is Widespread.’ Iowans Continue To Struggle In Aftermath Of Storm

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Corn plants are shown pushed over in a storm-damaged field on August 11 in Tama, Iowa. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said that early estimates indicate that 10 million acres, or nearly a third of the state’s crop land, was damaged in a powerful storm that battered the region a day earlier.

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President Donald Trump has not signed an emergency declaration yet. On Tuesday, he tweeted: «Sad to see the damage from the derecho in Midwest. 112 mile per hour winds in Midway, Iowa! The Federal government is in close coordination with State officials. We are with you all the way — Stay safe and strong!

At a press conference in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds said the soonest she’d be able to submit an application for a disaster declaration is on Monday, according to Iowa Public Radio.

«We’re moving forward, we’re coordinating efforts, we’re working with the local emergency managers and working with city officials and the mayor, Reynolds said. «They’re on the ground. They need to let us know how we can supplement and help them with the work that they’re doing and that’s how we can efficiently and effectively serve citizens.

This all comes as Iowa continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. While the rate of infections appears to be decreasing, now averaging 458 new cases a week with more than 52,000 cases and 975 deaths, experts are worried about how the state will be able to handle two disasters at once.

«[The pandemic] has complicated relief efforts, Olson said. «It’s hard to gather people together. It’s hard for repair companies, insurance adjusters, to go into homes. Obviously protections that are in place because of the pandemic. And it really, the city’s resources were strained before in trying to deal with that and now we’re dealing with this probably historic disaster.