Ringgold County under disaster emergency

June 11--Ringgold County has been included in a proclamation of disaster emergency along with three other Iowa counties for a severe system of storms that caused damage June 3.

Gov. Terry Branstad activated the Iowa Individual Assistance Program in a news release Friday. The other counties included Cass, Harrison and Montgomery.

"If people have damages, they need to go to Mount Ayr to the MATURA office," said Teresa Jackson, Ringgold County Emergency Management coordinator. "They need to bring a photo ID for all adults, proof of income, proof of residence, show they have no insurance or the insurance does not cover the damage claim, social security numbers for everyone in the house and an estimate of damage."

Pottawattamie County was declared under a disaster emergency Tuesday.

Households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level or a maximum annual income of $39,580 for a family of three is eligible for a grant up to $5,000.

The funds can be used for home or car repairs, to replace clothing, buy food or pay for temporary shelter.

If repairs have already been made, the original receipts are required for reimbursements.

Anyone with questions can contact Blake Fry-Schnormeier, 641-464-2401. The MATURA office is located on the corner of Adams and Taylor streets in Mount Ayr. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Jackson encouraged anyone that meets the criteria to apply. There is a chance Ringgold County could receive federal money in addition to the funds provided by the Iowa Individual Assistance Program.

Jackson said the storm dumped up to six inches of rain, wind speeds reached 80 to 100 mph and hail size ranged from marble to baseball size in Ringgold County.

"We had damage reported from one side of the county to the other of various degrees," Jackson said.

She added the hardest hit areas were in rural Clearfield, Diagonal and north of Mount Ayr.

"I am guessing we have a couple hundred people that are affected in some way," Jackson said.

During the tornado warning, 17 people took shelter in the new storm shelter at the Mount Ayr pool.

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