PR: Joint Information Center Update for August 18

TERRY BRANSTAD RELEASE — This update is provided by the Joint Information Center at the State Emergency Operations Center. For comprehensive disaster-related information and resources, visit the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD) website at www.iowahomelandsecurity.org.

NEW – After today, updates from the Joint Information Center will be sent weekly rather than daily. Updates will be distributed on Thursdays.

This release includes the latest updates for the following severe weather events:

• DR-1998 – Missouri River flooding
• Summer 2011 severe weather and wind storm events

OTHER INFORMATION

• Donations: Donations of items such as clothing, food, furniture, etc, are NOT needed at this time. If you want to help, cash is best. To donate cash, visit www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/CashDonations/Default2.aspx?ST=Iowa.
• Volunteers: Those wishing to volunteer in a disaster-related capacity may sign up to do so at www.volunteeriowa.org.
• Scams: Iowans should be aware of the potential for disaster-related scams and price gouging. For information, visit the Iowa Attorney General’s website at: www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.gov.
• Additional links

o   Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division: www.iowahomelandsecurity.org.

o   Governor Branstad’s flood page: https://governor.iowa.gov/news/missouri-river-flooding.

MISSOURI RIVER FLOODING

http://iowahomelandsecurity.org/disasters/disaster2011.html

DR-1998: May 25 – Continuing

• Counties: Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Pottawattamie and Woodbury
• Federal Public Assistance – All six counties
• NEW Federal Community Disaster Loan (CDL) Program – All six counties
• State Individual Assistance – All six counties

News and Updates:

• NEW – FEMA Approves Request to Activate Loan Program for Six Counties. The State of Iowa’s Aug. 15 request that FEMA activate its Community Disaster Loan (CDL) program for six Iowa counties has been approved.

Local communities in Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Pottawattamie and Woodbury counties are now eligible to apply for loans through the CDL program. The CDL Program provides operational funding to help local governments that have incurred a significant loss in revenue due to a major disaster that has or will adversely affect their ability to provide essential municipal services.

• Gov. Branstad Requests Extended Timeframe to Appeal for Individual Assistance

Gov. Terry E. Branstad has requested an extension of the time period to appeal FEMA’s decision to deny Individual Assistance to residents of Fremont, Harrison, Monona, Pottawattamie and Woodbury counties, due to Missouri River flooding.

On Aug. 4, 2011, Gov. Branstad received notification that FEMA had denied his request. The State has 30 days to appeal FEMA’s denial. However, the governor has asked FEMA for an extension of the appeal to Nov. 15, 2011, so it may include damages that surface beyond that 30-day time period.

Iowa HSEMD is coordinating the appeal, working closely with the local emergency management agencies to determine additional damages and impacts caused by ongoing flooding.

• Stay Aware, Be Prepared. Iowa HSEMD reminds Iowans that flooding along the Missouri River is continuing, and river levels are projected to remain high for many more weeks. It is important that residents in threatened areas remain prepared in case conditions change. Keeping a bag packed with essential items and establishing a family evacuation plan will help Iowans be ready to evacuate if an order is given.

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