Federal Disaster Assistance Now Available 

Release Date: June 19, 2002
Release Number: 1420-03

» More Information on Iowa Severe Storms and Flooding

Cedar Rapids, Iowa -- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) teams are working to identify and assist Iowa residents who sustained property damage from the severe storms and flooding that have plagued eastern Iowa since June 3.

Flood damage and property loss caused by these violent storms in 17 of Iowa's 99 counties was sufficient for President Bush to declare Iowa a federal disaster area on June 19. The declaration made federal assistance available to eligible homeowners, renters, and business owners located in Allamakee, Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Clayton, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Muscatine, Scott, and Winneshiek counties.

FEMA staff are visiting affected communities to encourage anyone who suffered damages from these storms to register for disaster assistance. It takes about a 15 minute phone call to the FEMA toll-free teleregistration number: 1 800 621 FEMA (3362). TTY service is available at 1 800 462 7585 for anyone who is hearing or speech impaired. The registration numbers will be available starting June 20 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CDT), seven days a week until further notice.

"All Iowa residents who sustained damage from this violent weather should register with FEMA, no matter where in the state they live," said Federal Coordinating Officer Peter Martinasco. "You must register to determine eligibility for federal and state assistance programs."

State Coordinating Officer Steve Zimmerman added, "Registration helps identify the extent of the damage and provides information to help government agencies identify individual needs."

Individuals, including farmers, whose homes were damaged should register by phone as soon as it is practical. Local governments in Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson, Jones, and Linn counties will be able to apply at upcoming briefings-locations and times to be announced in the coming days.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 19-Aug-2003 13:25:12