MINDEN, Iowa — The mayor of Minden, where two tornadoes have hit in less than two weeks, is asking for urgent help from the federal government.
Damage assessments conducted by Pottawattamie County officials revealed more than $12 million worth of property damage in Minden alone. Around 90% of the town's business district and 40% of residential homes were completely destroyed after an EF-3 tornado hit on Friday, April 26.
Mayor Kevin Zimmerman has spent his entire life in Minden and says the damage left behind by the storms will require more help than the state of Iowa can provide.
"It's gonna take a long time to get back to what we had," Zimmerman told Local 5. "Every day, the devastation ... we're just trying to get through that."
"FEMA should step in. I mean, the state can only do so much," he added.
Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were recently on the ground in Minden.
Michael Cappannari with FEMA Region 7 told Local 5 that their damage assessments have been completed and are now under review.
"At our FEMA Region 7 Office, we are leaning forward and prepared to have Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams in the field ASAP if/when there is a Declaration," Cappannari said.
President Biden announced on Tuesday afternoon that Minden's federal assistance request was approved.
"Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster," the White House said in a statement.
FEMA will begin in the hardest-hit neighborhoods to assist with the registration process or report any emerging needs. This would be done in coordination with state and county emergency management, Cappannari added.
Zimmerman says the FEMA funds would be directed toward high-ticket items. Minden will need a new wastewater treatment plan, which will cost around $3 million to rebuild, as well as a new community center and business district.
"It took 40 years to get it the way it was," Zimmerman said. "It ain't gonna be fixed tomorrow, so we're definitely going to need the money to do that."
Affected Iowans can call 1-800-621-3362 or visit the FEMA disaster assistance website to apply for funds.
"I’m glad that President Biden today answered our call and approved federal support to help our families and communities rebuild," Rep. Randy Feenstra, the Republican Congressman who represents Pottawattamie County, said in a social media post.