Governor Kim Reynolds has formally requested a Secretarial Disaster Designation from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue for 57 Iowa counties impacted by the derecho. This designation is in addition to the President’s disaster designation, and would allow Iowa producers to access USDA disaster programs. Marion, Warren and Jasper Counties were both included in this request.

If approved, a Secretarial Designation would enable Iowa producers in designated counties and all contiguous counties to immediately access low-interest Farm Service Agency emergency loans. Various other USDA programs are contingent upon the designation as well.

The August 10th derecho had winds in excess of 100 mph and swept across much of Iowa, causing widespread damage and power outages. USDA’s Risk Management Agency determined the storm impacted 57 counties. Preliminary estimates are that 3.57 million acres of corn and 2.5 million acres of soybeans were severely damaged by the storm.