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Flood Resource Guide

Iowa Congressman Tom Latham has put together this Flood Resource Guide to help Iowans affected by the recent flood. What to do, where to get help, safety tips for drivers and pedestrians, how to get federal assistance and how to file insurance claims are covered in this guide.

1. What do I do after a flood?
2. Where do I go to get help?
3. Safety Tips
4. Can I get federal assistance?
5. How do I file an insurance claim?
6. Are there any free legal services available?
7. Are people really scamming flood victims?


1. What do I do after a flood?

The following are guidelines for the period following a flood:

  1. Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink.
  2. Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
  3. Avoid moving water.
  4. Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
  5. Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company.
  6. Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
  7. Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
  8. Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
  9. Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.
  10. Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.

    For more information please visit: 
        http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/coping.shtm 
        http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/aftrfld.shtm

2. Where I do go to get help?

  • If you need immediate flood assistance in a life-or-death situation, call 911.
  • If you need assistance putting your home or business back together, call your insurance company or the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
  • If you need assistance from one of Congressman Latham's district offices, please call:

            Ames: 515-232-2885 
            Fort Dodge: 515-573-2738 
            Clear Lake/Mason City: 641-357-5225

3. Safety Tips

  1. Avoid driving in flooded areas! Most flood fatalities are caused by people driving through water or playing in flood areas.
  2. If you are driving and come upon rising flood waters, do not attempt to drive through. Find another way to get to your destination and never drive through flood waters.
  3. Do not go in flood waters deeper than your ankles. Swiftly moving water, even just six inches deep, can sweep you off your feet.
  4. Stay tuned to local news organizations for important announcements, bulletins and instructions. Keep listening after the flood for clean-up and safety information.
  5. If you do not have access to your home, it is likely because of a safety reason, such as a power line or persons in need of assistance. The officer controlling the area may not have been given the reason; be patient.
  6. Make sure you have identification. You may have to pass through checkpoints before being allowed access to your neighborhood/home.
  7. Avoid being a "flood tourist." Please remember that this is an emergency and people's lives are being destroyed. If you have no help to offer, please stay out of the way.
  8. Many roads will have standing water. Remember the slogan, "Turn Around, Don't Drown!" as there could be unseen dangers such as debris or a washed out roadway.
  9. Do not drive past barricades. Many water rescues have been caused by motorists ignoring these warnings. The Iowa Department of Transportation will remove the barricades after inspecting roadways and bridges to make sure they are safe, and clearing any debris.
  10. HELP OTHERS. If you see a non-barricaded, water covered roadway, or major obstruction such as a blocked culvert or bridge opening, call the local law enforcement agency so they can alert the appropriate road agency. Warn children to not play near swollen creeks or rivers, storm drains, culverts and bridges, or on flooded streets and roadways.

Turn Around, Don't Drown!

The National "Turn Around, Don't Drown" program educates drivers about the importance of driving safely near floods. It was created by the National Weather Service and aims to help motorists understand the following:

  • Monitor your favorite news source, or the NOAA Weather Radio, for vital weather information.
  • If flooding occurs, get to higher ground. Be vigilant and know if you or others around you are in a dip, low spot, canyon, wash, etc. and get yourself and others out.
  • Avoid areas already flooded. Do not attempt to cross flooded streams. Turn Around, Don't Drown!
  • Road beds may be washed out under flood waters. NEVER drive through flooded roadways. Turn Around, Don't Drown!
  • Don't camp or park your vehicle along streams or washes.
  • Be especially cautious at night when visibility decreases and flood dangers are harder to recognize.

4. Can I get federal assistance to help rebuild?

Call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or call TTY 1-800-462-7585. You can also apply for assistance online at www.fema.gov. The website will help you understand if you qualify for federal assistance, provide you with an applicant guide, help you check the status of your application, and help with case review among other services.

5. How to file an insurance claim.

  1. If you have experienced a flood, contact your agent or insurance company immediately. They will assign a claims adjuster to help you evaluate your loss and file your flood insurance claim. Have the following information ready:
    • The name of your insurance company
    • Your policy number
    • A telephone and/or email address where you can be reached at all times
    • If you will be going to a shelter or will be out of reach, provide your agent with a trusted point-of-contact (friend, relative) who can reach you if necessary. If an adjuster has not been assigned to you within a few days of your phone call, contact your insurance agent or company again.
  2. Separate damaged from undamaged property.
    • Do not throw out damaged property before your adjuster has seen it unless it may be a health hazard or could impede local cleanup.
    • If objects must be discarded, take photos and keep samples (fabric swatches, pieces of furniture, etc.) to help substantiate your claim.
    • Take photos of standing water, both outside and inside your home or business.
    • Photograph and videotape everything—from structural damage and floodwater levels on building exteriors to building interiors and contents—to help prepare documentation of what the flooding damaged.
  3. Make a list of all damaged or lost items. Work with your adjuster to itemize your claim and calculate the value of the destroyed items by applying your detailed inventory against your damaged or lost property.
  4. File a Proof of Loss within 60 days of the flood. Your official claim for damages is called a Proof of Loss. This sworn statement, made by you, substantiates the insurance claim and is required before the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or insurance company can make payment.
    • Your adjuster should provide the form for you. However, it is your responsibility to provide your insurance company with a signed Proof of Loss within 60-days of the date of loss.
    • You must include a detailed estimate to replace or repair the damaged property, which you can obtain from your adjuster.
    • You should both come to an agreement about the scope of damage and what needs to be repaired or replaced.
    • Your claim is payable after you and the insurer agree on the amount of damages and the insurer receives your complete, accurate and signed Proof of Loss.
    • If major catastrophic flooding occurs, it may take longer to process claims and make payments because of the sheer number of claims submitted.

Remember: To stay covered, you must renew your policy each year.

Claims Assistance / Support Materials

6. Free Legal Services for Flood Victims

This information has been printed in the Waukon Standard: Free legal services are available for victims of the recent flood in Iowa. Flood victims needing free legal services are asked to call 1-877-775-8882. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but is only staffed from 8 AM to 4:30 PM Central, Monday through Friday. At all other times, messages can be left on the system and callers are asked to identify they are seeking disaster-related legal assistance. If callers qualify, they will be matched with an Iowa lawyer who has volunteered his or her time to help flood victims.

The types of legal assistance available includes:

  • Securing FEMA and other government benefits available to disaster victims
  • Assistance with life, medical and property insurance claims
  • Reviewing home repair contracts and contractors
  • Replacing wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the disaster
  • Advising on consumer protection matters, remedies and procedures
  • Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems
  • Counseling on landlord/tenant problems

7. There are reports of people trying to scam flood victims.

The Daily Iowan, the student newspaper of the University of Iowa, has posted an article talking about FEMA impersonators. You can view the article here. FEMA has informed Congressman Latham that all FEMA employees will have a FEMA badge, with their picture on it, the FEMA seal and a date of issuance, and that no FEMA employee will proactively come to you and ask you for your social security number. FEMA does not attempt to contact residents to put them into the federal disaster assistance system. If you have any question as to the authenticity of anyone claiming to be from FEMA, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) and ask to have the person verified. If they are not from FEMA, please notify the police by calling 911.