WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that Polk County has been awarded a federal grant of $7,044,750 from the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP.) The funding will be used to build structures to reduce flooding in the area.
Harkin was the chief sponsor of legislation that greatly expanded FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program following the floods of 1993. The program provides grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. The purpose of the HMGP is to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.
“This funding will be used to build new basins and improve water flow in an area where many homes and businesses have seen repeated flood-related losses and damages,” said Harkin. “Not only is this good news for residents in the community, but it will help relieve the economic burdens that come with repairing flooded buildings.”
Funding from this grant will be used to build four regional basins and make improvements to the storm sewer system in the Hamilton Drain Watershed in Northeast Des Moines and nearby areas outside of the city. Upon completion, the project will reduce flooding within the area and help avoid damages and economic losses due to frequent flooding in the area.
