Flood recovery bulletin: Office of Congressman Loebsack

Posted: March 20, 2009

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack met with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to discuss flood recovery in Iowa. Congressman Loebsack outlined his concerns with Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) formulas for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) disaster relief fund distribution, noting that the floods in Iowa are the 5th largest disaster in U.S. history according to FEMA’s own data.

The Congressman emphasized that despite the depth of the destruction, Iowa has received less than 6% ($125 million) of CDBG disaster relief funding out of the $2.145 billion awarded by HUD in November. Congressman Loebsack also focused on the remaining funds HUD has yet to allocate ($4 billion), emphasizing that Iowa deserves a fair allocation in order to continue ongoing efforts to rebuild.

In addition, Congressman Loebsack gave Mr. Emanuel the DVD titled “In Deep Water: The Floods of 2008” to further highlight Iowa’s ongoing flood recovery needs. Allowing top administration officials to see the devastation first-hand portrays the extent of the destruction and the need for more relief.