Q: What federal resources are available for communities impacted by historic flooding?
A: Iowa has been hard hit by severe weather that’s caused devastating damage to homes, businesses, farms and public infrastructure. I led the congressional delegation urging President Biden to expedite approval of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ request for a Major Disaster Declaration for counties impacted by the supercell storms in June that included flooding, straight-line winds and tornadoes. I’m glad the request was approved swiftly to unlock vital resources to help Iowans respond and recover from record flooding to scores of communities across the state.
These severe storms came on the heels of damaging tornadoes and severe storms that swept across Iowa in April and May. From the May storms, an additional 28 counties (joining Adair County) recently were approved to qualify for the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) Public Assistance Program to help with debris removal and emergency work, including Adams, Buena Vista, Butler, Calhoun, Cedar, Cherokee, Clay, Dallas, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Humboldt, Jasper, Iowa, Jackson, Kossuth, Marshall, Mitchell, Montgomery, Muscatine, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Shelby, Story, Tama and Wright.
So far, for the severe storms in June, the Presidential Disaster Declaration for Iowa approved five counties: Clay, Emmet, Lyon, Plymouth and Sioux Counties are eligible to apply for disaster assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program. Homeowners, renters and businesses can get help with housing, personal property replacement, medical expenses, child care expenses caused by the disaster, moving and storage expenses and legal services. Residents and business owners in those counties who experienced loss can apply for federal assistance by phone or online. Phone lines are open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at (800) 621-FEMA (3362). Register online at www.disasterassistance.gov/ or download the FEMA app. What’s more, I am monitoring ongoing assessments needed to determine if additional counties reach the threshold to qualify for federal assistance. I want to be sure residents and businesses who qualify get help to recover.
Take photos to document damages, make a list of losses and keep all receipts to show disaster-related expenses. Residents are encouraged to apply with FEMA whether or not you have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits, but may cover disaster expenses not covered by private insurance.
Once application for assistance is made, an inspection may be necessary to verify disaster-related damage. When a FEMA inspector calls, write down the inspector’s name, date of call, date and time of appointment and the inspector’s telephone number. FEMA never charges a fee for the inspection. FEMA also warns impacted residents to beware of fraud. The federal agency is not going door-to-door offering to buy houses. Report suspicious activity involving disaster fraud at (866) 720-5721 or email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA has opened local Disaster Assistance Recovery Centers to help families and individuals navigate the disaster assistance process. Check here for locations and times.
Homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed may be eligible for low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). For more information or to apply, download applications at www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assitance. Or, call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
FEMA’s Public Assistance Program has been activated for the following counties: Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth and Sioux Counties. This allows these counties to access resources for emergency services, including debris removal.
For those feeling overwhelmed by the loss and recovery ahead, reach out to the Disaster Distress Helpline, a national hotline dedicated to providing disaster crisis counseling. Call or text (800) 985-5990.
Q: Is federal assistance available to farmers and livestock producers impacted by the heavy rains and flooding?
A: Yes. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and get more information on specific programs available for recovery assistance, including crops, land, infrastructure and livestock losses and damages. It’s best to contact your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) as soon as possible to report all losses. It’s also very important to document losses, such as farm records, herd inventory, receipts and photos of damage. It may be useful to complete an online, five-step disaster assistance tool to learn which programs align for your needs and losses.
FSA also offers a suite of loan services to help farmers unable to secure commercial financing; or need help purchasing inputs, such as equipment, feed, seed and covering family living expenses; or help making scheduled payments on farm loan programs debt. Check out direct and guaranteed farm loans, low interest emergency loans and Farm Storage Facility Loan Program for more information.
Here’s a list of federal ag-specific disaster programs:
Livestock deaths or injury may be eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). Be mindful, participating producers must provide acceptable documentation of death losses or reduced sales resulting from an eligible severe weather event. That notice must be submitted to the local Farm Service Agency office. For losses incurred in 2024, the deadline to submit is March 3, 2025.
The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) provides compensation for feed and grazing losses for eligible producers. Qualifying producers must submit a notice of loss and payment application by Jan. 30, 2025 for losses in 2024.
Orchard and nursery tree growers may find cost-share assistance available through the Tree Assistance Program to replant or rehabilitate trees. Applications must be filed within 90 days of the disaster event.
Eligible landowners may receive assistance to restore fencing, damaged farmland and help to remove debris from feed stocks, water supplies and feeding areas through FSA’s Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program.
Senator Grassley encourages Iowans to contact his office for help navigating federal assistance.
