Randy Feenstra

Two years ago, when catastrophic flooding hit Northwest Iowa late in the evening, our communities were devastated by tragic losses. Families lost their homes, businesses were forced to close their doors, schools suffered extensive damage, and critical infrastructure was overwhelmed. In partnership with our local leaders, I have worked directly with federal agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to advocate on behalf of the communities like Rock Valley. Most importantly, I made a direct promise to everyone who had been affected by these disasters: I would not stop fighting until our communities received every federal dollar and resource they needed to fully recover and rebuild.

That commitment has not wavered and remains one of my top priorities in Congress.

Over the past two years, I have worked to coordinate communication between FEMA, DHS, Governor Reynolds, local officials, and community leaders to ensure Northwest Iowa’s voice was heard loud and clear in Washington. I have brought city leaders to our nation’s capital to meet face-to-face with FEMA officials, conducted regular oversight of disaster recovery applications, and pushed federal agencies to act so that Iowa families weren’t left waiting for the assistance they need.

Those efforts continue to deliver results.

This week, the City of Hawarden received nearly one million dollars for property acquisition. This follows last week’s announcement of more than $27 million in additional disaster recovery funding for Northwest Iowa. This funding will help facilitate voluntary home buyouts for over 247 flood-damaged properties and support long-term mitigation efforts that will help our communities grow resilient and prepare for future disasters. Rock Valley alone will receive more than $22 million to purchase 104 flood-damaged properties, giving families the opportunity to move forward while strengthening the community for generations to come.

This latest announcement builds on months of progress. Earlier this year, we helped secure more than $15 million in additional FEMA grants for infrastructure repairs, schools, utilities, roads, and public facilities. We also delivered $3.8 million for critical wastewater infrastructure repairs in Cherokee and previously secured funding to help Rock Valley Community School District continue its recovery.

Altogether, I have been honored to help secure more than $100 million in FEMA disaster assistance for Iowa’s 4th District.

These allocations are the result of persistent advocacy, constant communication with federal officials, and strong partnerships with our local communities. I am beyond grateful for the tireless work of our mayors, county and city officials, emergency managers, and community leaders who have worked alongside my office every step of the way to ensure we deliver this assistance.

While this progress is significant, our work is far from finished. Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. I will continue working with FEMA and other federal agencies to ensure our communities receive every available dollar to rebuild stronger, protect against future flooding, and help families move forward with confidence.

Northwest Iowa’s resilience throughout these years and unwavering advocacy is a testament to the strength of these communities. Their spirit is what keeps me determined every day in Congress to get the job done.

Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, represents Iowa’s Fourth District in the U.S. House.