Governor Bob Holden has asked U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman for a federal agricultural disaster declaration covering Gentry, Livingston, and Linn Counties, as well as adjoining counties. The request is in response to Monday’s severe thunderstorms which brought high winds, tornadoes, rain, flooding, and large hail. Gentry and Livingston Counties experienced four tornadoes, which destroyed or damaged machine sheds, grain bins, and machinery. Linn County experienced similar damage, in addition to crop damage and fatalaties in sheep and cattle herds. A declaration by the USDA is the first step in qualifying producers for federal disaster assistance programs.
