DES MOINES – Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation of public health disaster emergency for the state of Iowa as a result of the widespread flooding and flash flooding that began March 13, 2019, and continues.
In addition to authorizing the Iowa Department of Public Health to take necessary action to protect the public’s health, the proclamation provides for the mobilization of public health response teams.
“Local resources and capabilities are quickly becoming overwhelmed,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Authorizing the mobilization of public health response teams will ease that burden as this emergency event continues.”
Members of public health response teams are volunteers from health care institutions, local public health and environmental agencies, county medical examiner’s offices, private industry, the Office of the State Medical Examiner and state public health staff. These teams have been an important part of the public health response system since the first team was established in 2003.
“Governor Reynold’s proclamation will give the department more flexibility to respond to public health emergencies as needed,” said Department of Public Health Director Gerd Clabaugh. “Our staff and trained volunteers are ready to respond to and help affected Iowans recover from the floods.”
For additional public health flood related information please visit: https://idph.iowa.gov/flooding.
