The derecho that barreled through northwest Iowa last week received official recognition from Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Four counties, including O'Brien County, were included in a disaster declaration issued by Reynolds on July 6. Also on the list were Emmet, Hancock and Winnebago counties. The governor's proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to, and recover from, the effects of the storm.

The July 5 onslaught left downed trees, damaged property, bent crops and power outages in its wake. In Hartley, electricity was out for approximately three hours. Several homes and vehicles also received heavy damage due to felled tree limbs, which also snapped power lines throughout town.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Sioux Falls classified the storm as a derecho, which is at least the second to hit the area in the last six months. The storm is defined as a widespread, long-lived windstorm associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. The NWS reported wind speeds at Hartley reached 79 mph.

Reynolds' proclamation activated the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for qualifying residents, along with the Disaster Case Management Program, for the four affected counties.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery.

The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website at https://dhs.iowa.gov/disaster-assistance-programs. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.

The Disaster Case Management Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case managers work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referral to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor's proclamation.

For information on the Disaster Case Management Program, contact your local community action association or visit http://www.iowacommunityaction.org.