An update on the Iowa’s flood recovery efforts:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today that eight additional Iowa counties — Clinton, Decatur, Dubuque, Greene, Keokuk, Pottawattamie, Van Buren, and Washington — were granted a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance.
62 counties across the state have been approved for Individual Assistance. Individual Assistance allows eligible homeowners, renters, business owners and non-profit organizations to recover from the effects of severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began May 25 and continues.
In addition, 77 counties across the state have been approved for public assistance. Public Assistance funds pay 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.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses can apply for assistance by registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.
Below is the latest list of counties to receive a Presidential Disaster Declaration:
Butler County- IA/PA
Black Hawk County- IA/PA
Buchanan County- IA/PA
Delaware County- PA/IA
Adams County- IA/PA
Page County- IA/PA
Marion County- IA/PA
Story County- IA/PA
Tama County- IA/PA
Union County- IA/PA
Boone County- PA/IA
Cerro Gordo County- PA/IA
Crawford County- PA/IA
Dallas County- PA/IA
Dubuque County- PA/IA
Floyd County- PA/IA
Franklin County- PA/IA
Benton County- IA/PA
Bremer County- IA/PA
Fayette County- IA/PA
Hardin County- IA/PA
Johnson County- IA/PA
Linn County- IA/PA
Cedar County- IA/PA
Jones County- IA/PA
Louisa County- IA/PA
Muscatine County- IA/PA
Polk County- IA/PA
Winneshiek County- IA/PA
Allamakee County- IA/PA
Des Moines County- IA/PA
Fremont County- IA/PA
Harrison County- IA/PA
Clayton County- IA/PA
Grundy County- PA
Howard County- PA
Iowa County- PA/IA
Marshall County- PA/IA
Mitchell County- PA/IA
Ringgold County-PA
Worth County- PA/IA
Wright County- PA/IA
Chickasaw County-IA/PA
Jasper County-IA/PA
Mahaska County-IA/PA
Mills County-IA/PA
Monona County-IA/PA
Warren County-IA/PA
Adair County- PA
Hancock County-PA/IA
Humboldt County-PA
Kossuth County- PA/IA
Madison County-PA/IA
Taylor County- PA
Webster County- PA/IA
Lee County-IA/PA
Wapello County- IA/PA
Cass County-PA
Clinton County-PA/IA
Decatur County-PA/IA
Greene County-PA/IA
Guthrie County-PA
Hamilton County- PA/IA
Montgomery County-PA
Poweshiek County-PA
Scott County-IA/PA
Carroll County-PA
Jackson County-PA
Keokuk County-PA/IA
Washington County-PA/IA
Davis County-PA/IA
Henry County-PA
Lyon County-PA
Palo Alto County-PA
Pocahontas County-PA
Pottawattamie County-PA/IA
Van Buren County-PA/IA
Lucas County- IA
PA = County Approved for Public Assistance Grants
IA = County Approved for Individual Assistance Grants
The last date to make an application for individual assistance is July 27, 2008. The State has formally requested a 60-day extension of this date. If the extension is approved, the application close date will move to September 27, 2008.
Iowa Disaster Recovery Centers
Black Hawk
Pine Crest Building
1407 Independence Ave
Waterloo, IA 50703
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Black Hawk
UNI Towers Center
2003 Campus Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Linn
Westdale Mall
2600 Edgewood Road, SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Johnson
Kirkwood Elementary School
1401 9th Street Coralville, IA 52241
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Polk
Harding Middle School
203 East Euclid Avenue Des Moines, IA 50313
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Floyd
Charles City Middle School
500 N. Grand Charles City, IA 50616
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Bremer
Waverly-Shell Rock High Commons
1405 4th Ave, SW Waverly, IA 50677
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Cerro Gordo
Southbridge Mall
100 S. Federal Avenue Mason City, IA 50401
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Louisa
Briggs Civic Center
317 N. Water Street Wapello, IA 52653
10-7 M-F 10-5 S-S
Benton
New Vinton/Shellsburg
210 W. 21st Street Vinton, IA 52349
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Linn
Prairie High School
401 76th Aveue Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Linn
Palo Fire Station
505 Vinton Street Palo, IA 52324
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Johnson
Johnson County Fairgrounds
4260 Oak Crest Hill Road SE Iowa City, IA 52246
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Jasper
Mingo High School
204 N. League Road Colfax, IA 50054
S-S 10-5 M-F 8-7
Winneshiek
Decorah Middle School
405 Winnebago Street Decorah, IA 52101
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Des Moines
Great River Medical Center
1221 S. Gear Avenue West Burlington, IA 52655
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Wapello
Indian Hills Community College
525 Grandview Ottumwa, IA 52501
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Cedar
Cedar County Courthouse
400 Cedar Street Tipton, IA 52772
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Muscatine
** Muscatine High School
2705 Cedar Street Muscatine, IA 52761
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Harrison
** Dunlap City Hall
716 Iowa Avenue Dunlap, IA 51529
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Chickasaw
** Nashua Fire Station
125 Greenwood Ave Nashua, IA 50658
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
Freemont
** Simmons Elementary School
309 S. Street Hamburg, IA 51640
8-7 Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat
** New Disaster Recovery Centers that have opened across the state.
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
Last month, Governor Culver requested, and received, from the federal government more than $17 million in Disaster Unemployment Assistance. These funds are used to hire workers who have been displaced due to funding.
Individuals can work for approximately 6 months in the program and can earn up to $12,000. Individuals are paid at the prevailing rate for the worksite, which provides higher compensation than unemployment insurance benefits. To apply, Iowans who are eligible are encouraged to contact their local Iowa Workforce Development Office.
Unemployment Assistance
631 – Disaster Unemployment Assistance Claims Received
Disaster Relief Employment Grant
Dubuque Co
Dubuque Co Converations
6
City of New Vienna
4
City of Dyersville
4
Delaware Co
City of Manchester
2
Back Bone State Park
4
Delware County Conversation
2
Allamakee Co
County Engineeer
3
County Conservation
1
Driftless Area NWR
3
Emergency Management
1
Clayton Co
Driftless Area NWR
3
Howard Co
County Engineer
3
Emergency Management
1
Winneshiek Co
County Conservation
1
Fayette Co
County Conservation
4
Charles City
Public Library
1
Parkersburg
Various sites
City-Maintenance workers
20
City-Clerical workers
2
Waterloo
Waterloo Leisure Services
5
Buchanan County
County Engineer
4
County Conservation
4
Waverly
City of Waverly – Parks
1
Lamont
City of Lamont
1
Butler County
Butler Co. Engineer
25
New Hartford
City of New Hartford
1
Crawford County
County Parks
2
County Fair Grounds
30
Secondary Roads
3
City of Arion
City park, public property
4
City of Dow City
Park and city facilities
4
Carroll County
Secondary Roads
1
Total
44
Scott County
Davenport Parks
4
Iowa Work/Eastern IA CC
1
Eastern Iowa CC
1
Jackson County
US Dept of Natural Resources
3
US Dept of Agriculture
1
US Fish and Wildlife
2
County Conservation
2
Clinton Co
Parks
4
Johnson Co
City of Coralville
30
City of IA City-Parks/Rec
20
MECCA
10
Linn Co
African American Museum
5
City of Cedar Rapids
200
Aid to Women
20
Horizons
4
Boys & Girls Club
10
HD Youth Center
20
Indian Creek Nature Center
3
Cedar Valley Humane Society
2
Crest Services
5
ASAC Heart of Iowa
15
Headstart
5
Four Oaks
20
St. Vincent DePaul
3
Animals Helping People
15
Cedar Co
Cedar Co E-911 Commission
2
Cedar Co Emergency Mgt
2
Cedar Co Environment Health
2
Cedar Co Conservation
2
Jones Co
City of Anamosa
8
City of Olin
1
City of Oxford Junction
5
Iowa Co
City of Ladora
6
Amana Society of Historical Soc
16
Benton Co
City of Vinton
20
Polk Co
Walnut Woods
2
Ledges State Park
4
Montgomery Co
City of Red Oak Library
3
City of Elliot
1
City of Red Oak
10
City of Villisca
3
Taylor Co
City of Clearfield
3
Union Co
Union County Conservation
4
City of Creston – Library
2
Adams Co
City of Corning
7
Lake Icaria
4
Adams County Extension Office
6
Corning Community Schools
3
Ringgold Co
Ringgold County Roads
5
Adair Co
City of Orient
3
Des Moines
Des Moines County Regional Landfill
3
Haz Chem Center
2
Des Moines County Conservation
5
Des Moines County Drainage District 8
6
Des Moines County Drainage District 7
6
Iowa River Flint Creek Levee District 16
6
City of Burlington
3
Henry
Conservation Board
2
Lee
George M Verity Riverboat Museum
4
Fort Madison Parks and Rec
15
Green Bay Levee & Drainage District
6
City of Montrose
2
North Lee County Historical Society
10
Louisa
Louisa County Conservation
2
City of Columbus Junction
2
US Mark Twain Wildlife Refuge
4
Louisa County DD4
6
Iowa River Flint Creek Levee District 16
6
City of Oakville
10
Columbus Junction Fairgrounds
2
Total Projects to Date – 102
Projected Number of Workers Needed – 782
STATE HOUSING ASSISTANCE
www.HousingInIowa.org
This web site is an excellent resource for rental housing opportunities around Iowa, including many that offer affordable units. Property managers are also encouraged to visit the site and list units for rent.
FirstHome and FirstHome Plus Borrowers
If you used IFA’s FirstHome or FirstHome Plus program to finance your home loan, please call your loan servicer if you are having trouble, or believe you may begin to have trouble, paying your mortgage. Contact Countrywide Bank at 1-800-669-6076 or Nationwide Advantage Mortgage at 1-800-356-3442.
Iowa Mortgage Help
If you are having trouble contacting your loan servicer and need additional assistance working with them, contact Iowa Mortgage Help. Iowa Mortgage Help can assist you in creating the best plan of action to keep your home. Trained mortgage counselors will provide free, confidential services. Regardless of who services your home loan, you can take advantage of Iowa Mortgage Help. Call 877-622-4866 or visit www.IowaMortgageHelp.com.
Homeownership Programs
If you are considering homeownership, IFA offers two outstanding programs that can help. FirstHome offers qualified first-time home buyers affordable mortgage financing with a low, fixed interest rate. The FirstHome Plus program provides cash assistance of up to $2,500 to help with closing costs, down payment or minor repairs. To learn more about either program, visit www.iowafinanceauthority.gov or talk to an IFA participating lender.
NOTE: Before you take advantage of any of the resources offered by the Iowa Finance Authority, we strongly encourage you to contact FEMA to inquire about disaster assistance. Call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit www.fema.gov.
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA)
100 mobile homes on-site; 12 enroute
Shelter Information: Three shelters remained open with a total population of 80.
Individual Assistance:
DRC visitors: 23,015
Registrations: 27,925
Total State and Federal Assistance approved: More than $130.9 million
Housing Assistance Approved: More than $81.3 million
Other Needs Assistance Approved: More than $8.7 million
Inspections Issued: 24,809
Returned to FEMA: 24,234
Turnaround time for inspections: 4 days, 07 hours, 01 minutes
SBA Assistance Approved: More than $34.9 million
Fed. PA Obligations Approved: More than $6.0 million
Those seeking FEMA assistance are encouraged to register before visiting a DRC. If they visit a DRC after registering, they should not re-register because that may delay FEMA assistance. Only one registration per household is allowed. Registration is done by calling FEMA’s toll-free registration line, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585, or online at www.fema.gov.
FEMA disaster assistance specialists and representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available at each DRC to answer questions. Other state, federal and non-profit organizations will have information at the DRC as well.
When applicants call to register, they will be asked to provide current contact information – address and phone number – their Social Security number, insurance information, a brief description of damage sustained as well as the specific location of damaged property. Direct deposit is available for those who are eligible for assistance and can provide their bank information. Those who suffered additional storm-related damage after registering should call the toll-free registration line again to report the additional damage.
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.
SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.
More information about the Iowa disaster is available online at www.fema.gov or www.Iowahomelandsecurity.org.