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Wednesday, June 18, 2008

07:30 Update, River crests in Burlington, Levees Hold

Quiet Night at State Emergency Operations Center

DES MOINES, Iowa – State responders had a quiet night at the Emergency Operations Center, where resources are coordinated to help local responders. There were no levee breaks and no new major missions for state agencies. While it was a quiet night, state responders continue to stand ready to support local responders and are monitoring the situation with local officials.

The river has crested in Burlington below the record levels set in 1993. Levees built with local officials, volunteers and state resources have held and are being closely monitored in Burlington. A levee break yesterday at Gulfport, Illinois lowered the river near Burlington.

The river is projected to crest Thursday in Keokuk at 27.8 feet, just over the previous record of 27.6. City officials have used the past week to work with the Iowa National Guard and local resources to heighten levees at the water treatment plant and to protect key infrastructure in the city.

Recovery efforts continue in Cedar Rapids where major portions of the city have been cleared for re-entry by citizens.

No major roads were opened or closed in the past few hours. Here is a recap of Interstate closings in the state.

Previously mentioned and updated road closures

Interstate routes

• I-29: All exit and entrance ramps at McPaul interchange – All exit and entrance ramps are closed at the McPaul interchange (exit 20) in Fremont County.
• I-80 and Dubuque Street interchange: in Johnson County – Flood waters are over Dubuque Street south of this interchange in Iowa City. The southbound exit from I-80 is closed.
• I-380 and H Avenue Interchange:  in Linn County (ramp closure only) – The southbound I-380 exit ramp (#21) to H Avenue has been closed due to flooding.
• I-380 and 1st Avenue interchange: in Linn County (ramp closures only) – The northbound I-380 entrance ramp (#19A) to 1st Avenue West and the southbound I-380 exit ramp (#19B) have been closed due to flood waters over 1st Avenue West in downtown Cedar Rapids. I-380 remains open.
• I-380 and 1st Street interchange: in Linn County (ramp closures only) – The northbound I-380 exit ramp (#19C) to 1st Street West and the southbound I-380 exit ramp (#20A) to 1st Street East have been closed due to flood in downtown Cedar Rapids. I-380 remains open.
• I-380 exit ramp Diagonal Drive Interchange:  in Linn County (ramp closure only) – The northbound I-380 exit ramp (#19A) to Diagonal Drive has been closed due to flooding. 

Disaster Assistance Clarification

Applying for help. Iowa residents who sustained damage in this year’s storms or floods should apply for federal or state-only disaster assistance grants if they are available. Residents are not eligible for both.  By design, the federal program is far more generous than the state-funded Iowa-only program.

How do I know?

• Iowa’s program is automatically turned on when the governor declares a county to be a disaster. He has declared 83 counties so far.
• Iowa’s program is automatically superseded when the president declares a county to be a disaster for individual assistance.

The state program. This is a grant program only for people with very limited income (at or below 130 percent of federal poverty guidelines). Generally, if you are eligible for food stamps, you are eligible for the grant program. The grant is offered in numerous categories, with the maximum grant being about $3,300.  For information, go to dhs.iowa.gov and look for the words “Storm Help” on the front page. Or call toll free (877) 937-3663.

The federal program. The federal government offers extensive grants and loans for Iowans in areas declared a presidential disaster for individual assistance. The federal program is far more beneficial to victims, both in grant maximum amounts and in eligibility criterion. Specifically, it is not limited to people with very low incomes. A good starting point for federal programs relating to the Iowa disaster is this web site. http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=9867 Or call (800) 621-3362.

What happens if there is a conflict?  So far, nobody has filed for grants under the state disaster program in an area that is declared a federal disaster. In the unlikely event that this happens, DHS staff will make contact and help steer the person to more beneficial federal programs. Federal programs offer much more aid and are not limited to low income families.

More information regarding the state and federal disaster grant programs can be found at the following link.  http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/Consumers/Assistance_Programs/CashAssistance/DisasterAssistance/StormHelp.html

AREAS OF CONCERN

Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids Police have requested assistance via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) for additional law enforcement support.  Additional officers are requested to provide public safety and law enforcement services in flood zones in the city.  Officers from Minnesota and Nebraska will supplement Iowa law enforcement resources to provide this support and are being implemented as phased in deployments on a timeline established by Cedar Rapids Police.

Officials understand the frustration of Cedar Rapids residents who want to return home. They stress they are working to clear the evacuated area of all hazards to ensure a safe reentry. Sink holes, downed power lines and uncovered manholes remain a hazard. While the city’s water capacity has improved, residents are asked to conserve water. Linn county has established regular press briefings and residents are encouraged to tune to those for the latest information. Large portions of the city have been opened for reentry.

Fort Madison
The Fort Madison Toll Bridge has reopened.

Local officials have taken steps to protect the local water treatment facility.

More than 200 National Guard soldiers are in the area to help local officials with flood preparation and response.

Ottumwa
The river has crested in Ottumwa.  Though waters are receding, the threat remains that water control efforts could fail.  Citizens are encouraged to use caution in the coming days.

FATALITIES

There have been seventeen storm-related deaths since the tornado of May 25.

Fatalities:
8 Butler County (tornado)
1 Wright County (Flooding)
1 Palo Alto/ Curlew (lightning)
1 Hamilton County (Flooding)
4 Monona County (Tornado)
1  Linn County (Flooding)
1  Louisa County (Flooding)

A additional fatality in Henry County is currently under investigation to determine if the death was the result of a traffic crash or the result of a unrelated medical condition, but it is not being considered a flood related death.

DECLARATIONS

Counties covered under Governor Culver’s Disaster Proclamation:  83 counties. Adair, Adams, Allamakee, Appanoose, Audubon, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clarke, Clayton, Crawford, Clinton, Dallas, Delaware, Dubuque, Davis, Decatur, Des Moines, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Fremont, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Howard, Humboldt, Henry, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Jefferson, Keokuk, Kossuth, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Marion, Marshall, Mitchell, Monona, Montgomery, Muscatine, Mahaska, Madison, Mills, Monroe, Page, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Scott, Story, Shelby, Tama, Taylor, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Webster, Winneshiek, Worth, Wright, Washington, Wayne, and Winnebago.

The Governor's proclamation activates Iowa's individual disaster assistance program. Iowa’s individual disaster assistance program helps people with low incomes.  Iowans with household incomes of up to 130 percent of federal poverty guidelines may apply for a grant of up to $3,300 to help recover from flood damage. The Governor emphasized that this is a reimbursement program, meaning that applicants must include receipts when applying for help.

Counties declared presidential disasters for Individual Assistance:  29 counties. Allamakee, Des Moines, Fremont, Harrison, Clayton, Adams, Cedar, Jones, Louisa, Muscatine, Polk, Winneshiek, Benton, Bremer, Black Hawk, Butler, Buchanan, Cerro Gordo, Delaware, Fayette, Floyd, Hardin, Johnson, Linn, Marion, Page, Story, Tama and Union. Individual Assistance allows homeowners, renters, business owners and non-profit organizations to recover from the effects of severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began May 25 and continues.

Individual Assistance allows homeowners, renters, business owners and non-profit organizations to recover from the effects of severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began May 25 and continues.

Counties declared presidential disasters for Public Assistance: 28 counties.  Adams, Linn, Winneshiek, Grundy, Howard, Iowa, Marshall, Mitchell, Ringgold, Worth, Wright, Clayton, Black Hawk, Boone, Buchanan, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Crawford, Dallas, Delaware, Des Moines, Dubuque, Floyd, Franklin, Marion, Story, Tama and Union. Public Assistance funds pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities. A series of applicant briefings will be held for local officials to explain the application process.

Public Assistance funds pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities. A series of applicant briefings will be held for local officials to explain the application process. Black Hawk, Buchanan, Butler and Delaware were previously included on the declaration for Public Assistance.

**NEW** Governor Culver has asked for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for all 83 Governor’s Declared Counties.   Under the process he makes the request and FEMA makes the final determination on eligibility. In addition, the Governor continues to ask for the maximum available assistance from the Federal Government.


SHELTERS

American Red Cross Open Shelters:

Benton County
Iowa Braille School, 1002 G Avenue Vinton, IA 52349;

Black Hawk County
UNI West Gym, University Ave & Campus St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613;

Bremer County
Wartburg College, 222 9th ST NW, Waverly, IA 50677;

Des Moines County
West Burlington High School, 408 West Van Weiss Blvd., West Burlington, IA

Johnson County
Johnson County Fairgrounds, 4265 Oak Crest Hill Rd SE Iowa City, IA 52240; Northwest Jr High School, 1507 8th Street, Coralville, Iowa 52241;

Linn County
Viola Gibson Elm. School, 6101 Gibson Dr. NE Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404;
Prairie High School, 401 76th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 62404;

Louisa County
Louisa/Muscatine School, 14353 170th St, Letts, Iowa 52754;

Page County
Old Armory, 423 West Thomas, Shenandoah, Iowa 51601;

Polk County
Callanan Middle School, 3010 Center Street Des Moines, IA 50312;

**16 shelters are in standby mode throughout the State**


IMPORTANT NOTICES
Stay out of flood affected areas unless you have been told to be there.  Emergency Management Officials need clear access to these areas, and unless you need to be there, stay away.

Evacuate Means Evacuate.  If you are directed by local officials to evacuate, leave the area immediately.  The situation remains dangerous, and to help protect the lives of Iowans, please leave if you are told to do so.

Be wary of unscrupulous practices.  Disasters bring out the best in people, and can sometimes bring out the worst.  Reports are sporadic at this time, but have indicated that Iowans affected by flood waters have been scammed by people posing as contractors or emergency personnel.  Remember:

 *   Never pay for goods or services in advance
 *   Never give out your social security number
 *   Always ask for identification

UPDATED:

EVACUATIONS
This is the latest information gathered in terms of the number of Iowans that have been evacuated as a result of this flood. In most cases local officials and emergency managers have allowed reentry.

• Black Hawk County
  • Cedar Falls = 1000
  • Waterloo = 300
• Butler Co:
  • New Hartford and Greene = 300 evacuees
• Cerro Gordo
  • Rural = 100
• Clayton Co
  • Elkader = 220
• Clinton Co:
  • Toronto = 26
• Des Moines Co
  • Burlington (Townships Tama, Jackson, Huron) = 350
• Dubuque
  • Dyersville = 75
• Cascade = 40
• Hamilton
  • Blairsburg  = 4
  • Webster City = 19
• Johnson County
  • Iowa City = 5,000
• Johnson County Rural = 299
• Lee Co
  • Montrose (Sandusky Area) = 350
• Louisa Co
  • Columbus Junction = 1616 + 37 from Colonial Manor Nursing Care
• Fredonia = 201
• Oakville = 442
• Linn Co
  • Cedar Rapids = 25,000 + 205 patients from Mercy Hospital
• Palo = 400 residential + 37 commercial
• Madison Co
  • East Peru = 15
• Mahaska Co
  • Red Rock Area = 85
• Polk Co
  • Des Moines = 240
• Scott Co
  • Bettendorf (Duck Creek Area) = 350
• Wapello County
  • Ottumwa = 200
  • Eddyville = 30
• Winneshiek Co
  • Decorah = 1240
• Freeport = 230
• Fort Atkinson = 50
• Spillville = 45
• Winneshiek Rural Areas = 150

38,656  Evacuees, 18 Counties, 31 Towns-Townships-Rural Areas

VOLUNTEER
Iowans interested in volunteering or donating are encouraged to visit the flood 2008 website at www.flood2008.iowa.gov. They can also contact the Iowa Concerns Hotline at:  800.447.1985.

WARNING
Please stay out of areas affected by flooding unless you are directed to be there.  Emergency personnel need free access to these areas, and onlookers affect emergency operations.


KEY NUMBERS/WEBSITE
To obtain updated shelter information, call 1-800-GET-INFO (438-4636)

211 (regional call center to help people with human services)

Iowa Concern Hotline 1-800-447-1985 for volunteers and donations

Road Closures Hotline 1-866-452-8510 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily or 24 hours at www.511ia.org.

To apply for federal assistance, contact FEMA at /www.fema.gov .

To apply for the State Individual Assistance program contact the Iowa Department of Human Services at dhs.iowa.gov and click the "storm help" link.

For current weather forecasts and flood statements, visit www.weather.gov.


PRESS BRIEFINGS

A copy of today’s press briefing, as well as previous briefings can be found at the Flood 2008 Resource Website at www.flood2008.iowa.gov.  Click on the ‘News’ link.

GOVERNOR CULVER’S SCHEDULE FOR TOMORROW