POLK COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – President Biden has approved Governor Kim Reynolds’ request for a Major Disaster Declaration, the governor’s office confirmed Tuesday.

It comes after strong storms impacted parts of the state on April 26.

The declaration authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide assistance to Clarke, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, and Union Counties.

Homeowners, renters and businesses in these counties can apply for FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program to get help with housing, property replacement, medical expenses and legal services.

Business owners and individuals in these counties can apply by calling 1-800-621-3362, or registering online. The helpline operates from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week.

People can download applications to receive additional disaster assistance information here, or call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

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Recent heavy rains in Iowa have led to record nitrate levels in the state’s major rivers, prompting concerns over water safety and environmental impacts.

Jared Strong reports for Iowa Capital Dispatch.

In short:

• Record-high nitrate levels have been detected in the Boone, Cedar, Iowa, and Turkey rivers due to recent heavy rainfall.
• Des Moines Water Works has reactivated its nitrate removal system as nitrate concentrations in some rivers exceeded safe drinking water standards.
• State efforts to reduce river nitrate levels through voluntary conservation measures have shown little progress over the past decade.

Key quote:

“This is one of the biggest nitrate leaching events in 11 years.”

— David Cwiertny, director of the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination at the University of Iowa

Why this matters:

High nitrate levels can lead to increased algae growth in rivers and lakes, reducing oxygen levels and harming aquatic life. These conditions can also pose a threat to public health, as they compromise the safety of drinking water sources, particularly in heavily impacted areas like Des Moines.

Related EHN coverage:

Iowa women’s basketball head coach Lisa Bluder announced her retirement on Monday as former Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark nears her pro debut with the WNBA’s Indiana Fever.

Bluder’s longtime assistant Jan Jensen was named her successor.

“There is no denying that this past season was incredible for so many reasons, and we could not have accomplished our achievements without all of you,” Bluder said in an open letter to fans. “After the season ended, I spent time with our student-athletes and coaches reviewing the season and preparing those moving on for what comes next.

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“With that also came personal contemplation about what this journey has meant to me, how to best champion this program, and what the future looks like for my family and me. After then taking some time away with my husband, David, it became clear to me that I am ready to step aside.”

Bluder’s retirement came more than a month after Iowa dropped its second consecutive national championship — this time it was to South Carolina.

She spent 24 years leading the Hawkeyes after spending 10 years at Drake. Bluder was 716-359 in her career.

Clark, arguably the best player in Bluder’s tenure, congratulated her former coach.

CAITLIN CLARK RECALLS ‘FRUSTRATING’ MEDIA STORM OVER 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP LOSS

Iowa women’s NCAA college basketball head coach Lisa Bluder arrives on the Red Carpet before the world premiere and screening of Episode 1 of the upcoming ESPN+ Original Series Full Court Press, Monday, May 6, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

“Simply no one better at building a team,” Clark wrote on X. “Thank you for believing in me more than anyone. Enjoy retirement, coach. Very much deserved.”

Jensen will take the reins starting in the 2024-25 season. She was an associate head coach under Bluder for 20 years. She was also with Bluder when they were at Drake.

She was an All-American at Drake and the highest-scoring player ever in six-on-six basketball at El Horn-Kimballton High School in Iowa.

“There is no better person to lead this program than Jan Jensen and I am thrilled she will have the opportunity to build on the foundation established,” Bluder said. “I’m committed to help her, and her staff, in whatever capacity they need moving forward.”

Head coach Lisa Bluder of the Iowa Hawkeyes high fives Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament National Championship at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 7, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

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Bluder helped Iowa to five Big Ten Tournament championships. She was the Big Ten Coach of the Year three times and the 2019 Naismith College Coach of the Year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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