Iowa Gov. Reynolds: Iowa Disaster Declaration Approved by President Trump

DES MOINES, Iowa, March 26 -- Gov. Kim Reynolds, R-Iowa, issued the following news release on March 25:

Gov. Kim Reynolds received notification last night that President Trump has approved her request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for COVID-19, removing a $5 million cap on federal funds as well as making available the Community Disaster Loan program.

"I want to thank President Trump for his quick response in approving Iowa's disaster declaration because it will open up federal resources to Iowa as we combat the spread of COVID-19," said Gov. Reynolds.

"This outbreak is an unprecedented crisis for the entire nation and it's going to take a whole-of-government approach to limit the spread of the virus and provide economic relief to all of those impacted."

The declaration provides assistance for work and services to save lives and protect property, to include emergency protective measures.

Gov. Reynolds had also requested activation of the federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance and Crisis Counseling programs and statewide Hazard Mitigation Assistance funding. Those portions of her request are still under consideration.

Gov. Reynolds will hold a press conference today at 2:30 p.m. The press conference will be livestreamed and posted in full on Governor Reynolds' Facebook Page.