The City of Newton has received reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for emergency pumping the fire department did because of the May 21st flooding this year. Newton Fire Chief Jarod Wellik says FEMA has paid the City $8,043.36, which is 75% of the $10,724.47 the department spent. He adds receiving the federal money just seven months after the flooding is almost miraculous.

The City of Newton is still waiting to hear from the State of Iowa on reimbursement of 15% of the cost, or $1,608.67. If that funding is awarded, the City’s share of the emergency pumping cost would shrink to $1.072.44.