These popular topics are heating up. Explore today's most viewed pages.
Posted May 15, 2024
Posted by Public Relations
Pottawattamie County, Iowa – Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were deployed in Pottawattamie County on Wednesday, informing residents affected by the April 26th tornadoes of FEMA resources that may be available to them.
Officials from Pottawattamie County Emergency Management met with FEMA representatives on Wednesday afternoon, collaborating on a strategic plan for deployment. DSA teams immediately began door-to-door communication with disaster survivors in rural areas of the northwest and south-central regions of the county. Once teams have saturated these areas, communication efforts will shift to affected residents inside city limits, including those in Council Bluffs and Minden. The communication process is expected to take several days to complete.
The two agencies are also working together to establish a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). DRCs are temporary offices set up after a disaster to provide support to impacted areas and communities. Officials say operational details on the DRC should be announced in the coming days. The intent of the DRC is to create yet another avenue for residents to access information on FEMA resources they may qualify for.
The communication efforts for FEMA assistance come one day after Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Pottawattamie County under the Stafford Act was approved, opening the possibility for additional assistance for disaster-affected residents.
As a result of a local, state, and federal damage assessment conducted last week, residents in Pottawattamie County are eligible to apply for the FEMA Individual Assistance Program. The program provides disaster-affected homeowners, renters, and businesses with programs and services to maximize recovery, including assistance with housing, personal property replacement, medical expenses, and legal services.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362. The helpline operates from 7:00AM to 10:00PM, 7 days a week. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. Other options include registering online at disasterassistance.gov or downloading the FEMA mobile app.
Homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by the disaster, may be able to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the SBA. In addition, small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, and private, nonprofit organizations impacted by the severe weather may be eligible to apply for working capital loans.
Residents are urged to monitor media outlets and Pottawattamie County Emergency Management’s Facebook Page, X (formerly Twitter), and website (pcema-ia.org) for ongoing information.
Ways to access FEMA and SBA assistance:
