National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time.  Click here for resources.

• Current Disaster Information

• State of Iowa disaster proclamation

• Iowa disaster assistance programs

• Iowa Derecho Recovery Resources (webpage with lost of information)

Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS):  Communicates and visualizes information on flood conditions and forecasts, rainfall accumulation, flood maps.  Learn more here.
 

• Linea de Ayuda en Iowa / Iowa Spanish Helpline (Printable Flyer)

• Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa (Assisting the regugee community)

   

     Ready.gov Winter Weather

On this page you will find links to documents and resources on disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.  

May 7, 2023 Disaster Proclamation

Gov. Kim Reynolds issues disaster proclamation for counties impacted by May 7th storms: Counties include Benton, Iowa, Jasper, Muscatine, and Poweshiek.  The Assistance Grant Program provides grants for up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level.  For more information about the grant application and instructions please visit the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services website at hhs.iowa.gov/disaster-assistance-programs. 

Emergency shelter for flood victims

From: Scott County IA Emergency Management Agency

Rock Island and Scott County residents impacted by flooding and needing support with sheltering are encouraged to contact the American Red Cross. A flood hotline for has been established for residents and staff are standing by to take calls. Transportation assistance to the shelter may also be available. 

Click her for Media Release.

Gov. Reynolds Issues Disaster Proclamation for Mississippi River Counties 04/24/2023 

Counties include Allamakee, Clayton, Clinton, Des Moines, Dubuque, Jackson, Lee, Louisa, Muscatine, and Scott counties. More information can be found at https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/2023-04-24/gov-reynolds-issues-disaster-proclamation-mississippi-river-counties

Flood Preparation: visit ready.iowa.gov/floods. 

Media Release - State Individual Assistance and Legal Aid for Scott County Residents

Gov. Reynolds Issues Disaster Proclamation for 12 Counties in Eastern Iowa 03/31/2023

Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Des Moines, Dubuque, Grundy, Johnson, Keokuk, Linn, Mahaska, Wapello, and Washington counties. 

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level.  

Applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.  Please click here to read complete details.

The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services website at https://dhs.iowa.gov/disaster-assistance-programs. 

Copy of proclamation.

Resources: 

• State of Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
• Iowa Community Action Agency   www.iowacommunityaction.org 

Flood Preparation: Go to the Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council (IDHRC) (web site https://homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/programs/idhrc/ ) for help in crafting what may be lifesaving plans and preparations. 

• Make a family emergency plan

• Built an emergency supply kit

• Be Aware by paying attention to your local news

• Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council (IDHRC)

• Disaster Process

• Scott County Flooding updates

• Alert Iowa (sign up to get alerts in the event of an emergency or severe weather)

If you need any more information about preparedness please contact Glenn Leach at [email protected]  or Go to our website to find additional links to resources.

Severe Weather Awareness Week: March 27-31 Please learn more at https://ready.iowa.gov/#SWAW and signup for emergency notifications through Alert Iowa (alert.iowa.gov).

• Signup for emergency notifications through Alert Iowa (alert.iowa.gov)

• National Weather Service Awareness and Preparedness Calendar

• Individuals with Disabilities

• Iowa Disaster Recovery

• FEMA Help After Disaster Brochure  (FEMA  brochure is available in 27 languages.) Printable brochure.

• LIHEAP Information

• Community Action of South East Iowa

Note: The FEMA assistance is available when an area has a Presidential Disaster Declaration for personal assistance, so far in Iowa, the only county that has this is Linn County; the other 26 counties do not. 

Food Assistance Replacement: Households who currently receive Food Assistance may request replacement of food destroyed as a result of the recent storm damage, or spoilage as a result of a power outage.

Iowa WIC: Visit the IDPH website at https://idph.iowa.gov/WIC for more information on WIC and to find local office

Meals on Wheels is a nationwide program that provides older Americans with nutritious meals and safety checks at little to no cost.  Learn more...

It is important that volunteers register with the organization responsible for knowing what areas have what needs and assigning volunteers where they are most needed. 

• United Way

• American Red Cross

Volunteer Iowa: maintains a site where organizations across the state needing volunteers can post their needs, and at the same site, individuals can register their availability either for the posted needs or for general availability.  This site is active for both emergency and non-emergercy volunteerism. Got to https://www.volunteeriowa.org/

The Intercultural Center of Iowa: Is another resouce for information about multicultural needs in the Cedar Rapids Area.  For assistance call 866-217-0429. or
go to   http://www.interculturaliowa.org/professional-about-us

Preparing for Disasters

• General Disaster Guidebook (4.3MB)

• General Disaster PowerPoint (4.7MB)

• Flooding Disasters PowerPoint (3.7MB)

• Tornado Disasters PowerPoint (4.6MB)

• Fire Disasters PowerPoint (900KB)