Q&A:
Avoid Scams After Natural Disasters
With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
Q: How severe were the December storms in Iowa?
A: In
our state’s 175-year history, Iowans are no strangers to natural disasters. For
the better part of the year, Iowans managed recovery efforts from the derecho
that swept across the state in August 2020. The National Weather Service
identified last year’s wind storm as a progressive derecho. Now 15 months later,
a rare December storm system produced an unprecedented late-year sweep of
tornadoes across America’s Heartland. It’s being called a serial derecho.
According to an analysis by the National Weather Service, at least 45 tornadoes
have been confirmed so far. Hurricane-force winds reached up to 120 mph across
the Upper Midwest and Central Plains. No matter what the experts call it,
Iowans across the state braced for the worst. One life lost is one too many.
The dangerous storms killed one Iowan in eastern Iowa when the driver’s truck
overturned from high winds. Tens of thousands of homes and businesses were
without power. Now the road to recovery is underway as homeowners, farmers,
communities and businesses clean up tree damage and begin building, barn and home
repairs. Shredded trees and demolished farm equipment greeted Iowans the next
day. Iowa Gov. Reynolds declared a disaster in more than half of Iowa’s 99
counties. Homeowners may apply for up to $5,000 in state assistance….
