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)

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

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

Derecho disaster damages estimated at $4 billion in Iowa.

By Barb Arland-Fye and Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger

The derecho storm that ravaged Iowa last week caused an estimated $4 billion in damages, and Gov. Kim Reynolds has requested an expedited Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for the state to assist with the recovery.  Read more...

SAU dome flattened, minor damage on campus.

By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger

DAVENPORT — Last week’s derecho storm burst the bubble at St. Ambrose University’s soft-covered dome sports facility located off campus on north Brady Street. Just before the storm struck mid-afternoon Aug. 10, Tony Huntley, SAU director of athletic facilities, headed to the sports dome, also referred to as the “bubble,” to put in a sanitation station for teams to use.  Read more...
 

Derecho storm leaves destruction in Iowa

By Lindsay Steele
The Catholic Messenger

A widespread, straight-line windstorm known as a “derecho” barreled through Iowa on Aug. 10, leaving about 500,000 Iowans without power, according to www.poweroutage.us.  Read more...

   

     Ready.gov Winter Weather

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

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

Flood Preparation: Go to the Iowa Human Resources Disaster Council (web site https://www.beready.iowa.gov/get_involved/idhrc.html ) 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

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.
 

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

Prayer after the Storm - Written by Deacon Dan Freeman, St. Andrew Parish Blue Grass.

Find FEMA Training Opportunities at the bottom of this page.

Derecho Iowa Legal Aid  Legal Hotline 1-877-469-2259
(As of February hotlilne still operating )
9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
 

Derecho damage capture

Press release: Gov. Reynolds announces nearly $1 Million in Rental Assistance for Derecho-Impacted Iowans Rental Assistance Available for Eligible Renters in Benton, Boone, Cedar, Clinton, Jasper, Linn, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story and Tama Counties.  Full press release here. 

Community Action of Eastern Iowa. The state has turned on individual assistance and disaster case management, which provides grants of up to $5,000 for basic needs for individuals impacted by the storm.   Individuals interested in requesting assistance should contact Community Action of Eastern Iowa at 563-324- 3236 and/or visit https://www.caeiowa.org/help-paying-bills/disaster-assistance/
Press Release:  Scott County Assistance Available for Individuals in Need Due to August 10 Severe Weather Event.

Press Release:  Red Cross Annunces Emergency Finanical Assistance Program.

• Derecho Storm Relief Grants - Deadline September 8, 2020

• Iowa Disaster Recovery

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

• LIHEAP Information

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. 

Disclaimer:  "The link below is to a commercial site which provides excellent advice on financial preparation prior to an emergency or disaster.  The Diocese has no connection to the owners of the site, and as a matter of policy, it does not endorse any of the products or services that may be accessed through the site."

Financial Preparedness and Recovery From a Natural Disaster
 https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/home/resources/financial-emergency-preparedness/

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.

Press Release: Assistance for Iowa WIC Families Affected by Severe Weather: The Iowa Department of Public Health has announce additional assistance for WIC Families following the destruction of Derecho.  Families living in the 16 counties designated under the federal disaster declaration are eligible.  Visit the IDPH website at https://idph.iowa.gov/WIC for more information on WIC and to find local offices.

Iowa Food Banks and Amerigroup Host Mobile Drive-Thru Food Pantries to Support Disaster Relief Response Efforts. (August 24 – 28 in Tama, Marshalltown, Newton, Cedar Rapids and Belle Plaine) Printable press Release

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.  For the areas most damage by the Derecho storm, these organization are:

• United Way of East Central Iowa

• United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties

For service in specific counties, go to the Iowa United Way List or call 211.  United Way organizations Service in more than half of the counties in Iowa.

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/

 

Meskwaki Nations:

For services in the Meskwaki Nation, contact: [email protected]  

Islamic Circle of North America Relief:

For service with those of the Islamic Faith, particularly refugees in the Cedar Rapids area, call the Islamic Circle of North America Relief, Imam Rafiq Mahadi, [email protected] or 865-256-9826.

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

Good people want to make donations of goods and money to the victims of disasters.  The number one thing needed during recovery from a disaster is MONEY.  Money can be converted to meet any need from food to temporary housing to reconstruction support. 

For the Linn County / Cedar Rapids / Tama area the primary point of Contact are:

• Linn Area Partners in Disaster / United Way of East Central Iowa Donation page. or 

United Way of East Central Iowa
317 7th Ave SE, Suite 401
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Indicate the purpose on the check.

• HACAP - Food Assistance Donations 

• Horizons - Meals on Wheels

• Greater CR Foundation Disaster Recovery Fund

The Catherine McCauley Center
1220 5th Ave SE,
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
https://connect.clickandpledge.com/w/Form/a8c60b78-b225-4abf-b7f6-200d488c9b5d 

Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa 
1556 1st Ave #C
Iowa City, IA 52240
Please note that the donation is for refugees affected by Derecho.

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)