BRANSTAD SEEKS SIOUXLAND ASSISTANCE

SIOUXLAND---Gov. Terry Branstad is seeking to have six western Iowa counties declared presidential disaster areas due to damage from tornadoes and other severe storms that hit the area in April.

Branstad sent a letter Tuesday to President Barack Obama, seeking the declaration for Buena Vista, Cherokee, Ida, Monona, Pocahontas and Sac counties.

All were damaged in storms on April 9 and 10. The governor seeks money for public entities and select nonprofit agencies.

The money also could be used to rebuild damaged infrastructure such as roads, bridges and culverts, and it would cover costs of emergency work and debris removal.

Branstad also requested for Monona and Pocahontas counties a physical  disaster declaration from the Small Business Administration.

That declaration allows for low-interest loans from the disaster loan program for victims.