FEMA approves disaster loans for 2 northwestern Iowa cities

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Two cities in northwestern Iowa have been granted disaster loans to help recover from severe summer flooding.

The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management announced Thursday that Rock Rapids and Rock Valley have each been approved for a Community Disaster Loan from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Rock Rapids will receive $513,220, and Rock Valley will receive $939,094.

The cities were flooded by Rock River in June, resulting in an estimated $15 million in damage to public roads, buildings and bridges. The estimates did not include homes or farmland.

Patrick Hall, who serves as state coordinating officer for the disaster, says the loans will aid the communities in the aftermath of the flooding. He says the state will also continue to assist both cities as they recover.