Registration Is First Step To Recovery 

Release Date: May 29, 2007
Release Number: 1705-002

» More Information on Iowa Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes

URBANDALE, Iowa -- Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD) and the U.S Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continue to encourage residents affected by the severe storms, flooding and tornadoes from May 5 -7, 2007 to apply for federal and state disaster assistance. On May 25, the President declared that individuals living in Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Ida, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, Shelby, Taylor and Union counties are eligible for federal disaster aid.

"Anyone who has had damage could be eligible, but there's no way to know if they don’t register. That’s the first step to receive assistance," said Carlos Mitchell, Federal Coordinating Officer.

Many types of assistance for homeowners, renters and business owners are available. Assistance include grants for short-term rental needs; grants to make minimal home repairs; low-interest U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to repair major damage and/or replace damaged personal property to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofits; and grants to meet serious disaster-related needs not covered by other programs.

Those affected by the severe storms and flooding can call FEMA’s helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired to apply. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. Individuals can also register online at www.fema.gov.

Even if disaster victims have reported their damages to local officials, or applied for assistance through other agencies, or have insurance, State Coordinating Officer Steve Zimmerman reminds residents, they still need to apply with FEMA to be eligible for federal recovery programs.

Federal funding is also available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, flooding and tornadoes in Audubon, Cass, Clarke, Crawford, Decatur, Fremont, Harrison, Ida, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Sac, Shelby, Taylor and Union counties.

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: Wednesday, 30-May-2007 10:46:22