DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) — More help is coming to Iowans who were affected by multiple natural disasters last year.

Governor Kim Reynolds’ office announced that she signed Senate File 619 into law on Tuesday, April 22. The bill provides millions of dollars in disaster relief and assistance for Iowans who were impacted by flooding, tornadoes, and other severe weather events in the spring and summer of 2024.

“The tenacity of Iowans has been tested over the past year,” Reynolds said in a statement in part. “Our state faced devastating natural disasters in the spring of 2024—strong tornadoes and widespread flooding affected tens of thousands of Iowa families … Today, I sign this legislation to streamline our disaster assistance process and make it easier for Iowans to get the help they need as soon as possible.” 

According to the governor’s office, the bill:

• Adds $11.6 million in funding to the Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance Program
• Extends tax exclusion for the State Disaster New Housing Grant Program
• Adjusts insurance regulations to protect people against unfair practices
• Modifies emergency funds transfer authority in times of disaster
• Adds $2 million in funding to the Nuisance Property & Abandoned Building Remediation Loan Program
• Creates new Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund to help with future disasters

Three presidential disaster declarations were issued in a span of just a few months. The first was in response to severe storms and tornadoes in April 2024; the second was for severe storms in May 2024; and the final was for severe weather in many Iowa counties in June and July 2024, including June’s historic flooding in northwest Iowa.

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