DES MOINES — President Donald Trump has approved a major federal disaster declaration and $5 million in disaster assistance for Iowa following destructive storms and flooding, drawing praise from Gov. Kim Reynolds and members of Iowa’s congressional delegation who had pressed the White House to act.
The declaration covers Jasper, Polk, Story and Warren counties, which sustained significant damage from severe weather, torrential rainfall and flash flooding between July 1 and July 4.
Trump announced the funding Tuesday evening, saying he had spoken with Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson before approving $5 million for the state.
“Iowa will recover, FAST, and be stronger than ever before!” Trump said in announcing the assistance.
Reynolds formally announced Wednesday that Trump had approved Iowa’s request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration.
The declaration activates the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program in the four counties.
The program can provide money for repairing damaged utilities and other public infrastructure, debris removal and emergency protective measures. Those measures can include sheltering residents, providing essential needs and moving emergency supplies into disaster areas.
Federal disaster assistance has repeatedly played a major role in Iowa storm recovery. NorthIowaToday.com recently reported on FEMA disaster assistance and its importance to Iowa communities, including millions of dollars previously distributed to Iowa households following catastrophic storms and flooding.
The federal action comes after Reynolds requested the presidential declaration, saying the July storms caused damage that overwhelmed the ability of state and local governments to handle the recovery on their own.
Iowa’s congressional delegation also pressed the Trump administration to move quickly.
U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, along with U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Ashley Hinson, Zach Nunn and Randy Feenstra, jointly urged Trump to approve Reynolds’ request and expedite federal assistance for Iowa communities.
Ernst praised Trump after the funding was approved.
“I am grateful for President Trump’s steadfast support and leadership in quickly answering our call for expedited disaster relief following the devastating storms that struck communities across Iowa,” Ernst said.
Ernst called the federal money a “lifeline” for Iowans trying to rebuild homes and repair critical infrastructure and said she would continue working to obtain resources needed for recovery.
Hinson also welcomed the approval after working with the rest of Iowa’s federal delegation to seek assistance. Trump specifically referenced Hinson when announcing the $5 million, saying he had spoken with the congresswoman before approving the Iowa funding.
Grassley helped lead the Iowa congressional delegation’s request to Trump, with the state’s federal lawmakers joining the effort to secure assistance.
Trump and Reynolds have dealt with major Iowa disaster requests before. Following the devastating August 2020 derecho, NIT reported that Reynolds sought an expedited presidential disaster declaration from Trump as Iowa faced billions of dollars in estimated damage.
The FEMA Public Assistance declaration covers Jasper, Polk, Story and Warren counties.
The latest federal assistance follows additional disaster help approved earlier this summer.
On July 24, the U.S. Small Business Administration approved Reynolds’ request for disaster assistance in Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Polk, Story and Warren counties.
Those SBA programs make low-interest disaster loans available to qualifying homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations affected by the storms.
Iowa has been hit by repeated rounds of damaging severe weather in 2026, forcing state officials to issue disaster proclamations while communities contend with flooding, wind damage and damaged public infrastructure.
The latest presidential declaration brings federal resources into that recovery effort after Reynolds and Iowa’s congressional delegation asked the Trump administration for help.