Disaster Assistance Approved for 13 Additional Iowa Counties
Release Date: June 13, 2008
Release Number: 1763-018
» More Information on Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that six additional counties are now eligible for Individual Assistance and 11 counties are eligible for Public Assistance to help communities rebuild infrastructure. Disaster assessments of additional counties are on-going.
Adams, Page, Marion, Story, Tama and Union counties have been added to the May 27, 2008, major disaster declaration providing Individual Assistance to help homeowners, renters, business owners and non-profit organizations recover from the effects of severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began May 25 and continues. Black Hawk, Buchanan and Butler counties were previously included in the original declaration for Individual Assistance.
Residents who suffered damages in these six counties should register with FEMA online anytime at www.fema.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing- or speech-impaired. The toll-free numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. Residents who registered following the initial storms on May 25 do not have to re-register, but they should call and report any additional damage to their property caused by recent storms.
In addition, state and local agencies and eligible non-profit organizations in Boone, Cerro Gordo, Crawford, Dallas, Dubuque, Floyd, Franklin, Marion, Story, Tama and Union counties are eligible to apply for federal Public Assistance funds to pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities. A series of applicant briefings will be held for local officials to explain the application process. Black Hawk, Buchanan, Butler and Delaware were previously included on the declaration for Public Assistance.
"The 13 counties declared today were added after a review of damage data gathered by state and federal disaster recovery officials," said Pat Hall, state coordinating officer. "These communities and residents will now have additional resources to aid in recovery."
"Ensuring that vital community services are restored as quickly as possible is part of FEMA's continuing commitment to help Iowa achieve a full and lasting recovery," said Bill Vogel, FEMA's federal coordinating officer. "We have been working closely with the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division in counties that received a federal declaration earlier. Adding new areas will be a smooth process."
Disaster assistance for individuals may include:
- Grants to help pay for temporary housing and home repairs to make a home habitable
- Grants for serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance
- Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for homeowners, renters and business owners to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Sunday, 15-Jun-2008 15:30:53