HCREC Thanks Rep. Feenstra for Ongoing Support of FEMA Disaster Recovery Funding in Western Iowa

Harrison County Rural Electric Cooperative (HCREC) extends its sincere appreciation to Congressman Randy Feenstra for his continued advocacy and support of federal disaster assistance for communities across Western Iowa. Recently, Rep. Feenstra announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $15.2 million in disaster recovery funding to Northwest Iowa communities following severe weather events. These funds help support critical infrastructure repairs, including utility systems, and assist local communities in rebuilding stronger and more resilient systems.

“FEMA’s disaster recovery assistance funding plays a vital role in helping rural electric cooperatives and local governments recover from significant storm damage while maintaining safe, reliable, and affordable electric services for the communities we serve.” States Shadon Blum, CEO of Harrison County REC.

Harrison County REC’s recent storm damage from Winter Storm Nyla in March of 2025 caused extensive damage to the system including the need to replace 205 poles and 14 miles of line and also required the use of mutual aid which brought in 10 additional linemen to support HCREC crews. This damage resulted in approximately a four-day power outage and significantly impacted the cooperative’s distribution system and required immediate response to restore power safely and reliability to its members. The scale of damage and expenses caused by this storm that FEMA’s Public Assistance Program is designed to support is such an integral part in restoration efforts.

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program operates on a reimbursement-based model, meaning utilities like HCREC must first complete repairs and restoration work using their own financial resources before submitting documentation to FEMA for reimbursement of eligible costs. This process ensures that necessary repairs, such as replacing poles, repairing lines, and restoring power, are completed as quickly as possible following a disaster, without waiting for federal dollars to arrive. “Restoring service after a storm is always our top priority,” said Robert Wakehouse, Director of Operations at Harrison County REC. “Our crews complete the work upfront so our members can safely and quickly return to their normal lives. FEMA funding helps offset those costs after the fact, but it does not eliminate the burden placed on local utilities during initial damage and recovery.”

Additionally, FEMA funding typically covers a percentage of eligible costs, with remaining expenses shared among state and local entities, further emphasizing the local investment required throughout the recovery process.

Harrison County REC remains committed to maintaining a safe, reliable and affordable electric system for its members and continuing to invest in infrastructure improvements that strengthen resilience across the region. “We appreciate the partnership at the federal, state, and local levels that helps make recovery possible,” said Blum. “Together, we’re working to ensure our communities are prepared for future challenges while continuing to provide reliable service every day.”