Press Release Archive
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Latest Information from the Iowa State Emergency Operations Center
State Prepares for President's Visit; More Counties Receive Assistance from Federal Government
Des Moines, IA -- Governor Chet Culver will join President Bush as he travels throughout eastern Iowa on Thursday. Details will be provided as soon they become available.
Today, Governor Chet Culver announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved 7 new counties for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance, and 12 new counties for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance. The declarations make a number of programs available for Iowa citizens, businesses, governments, and certain non-profit agencies.(See details below.)
The Army Corp of Engineers says water should no longer be flowing over the Saylorville Lake emergency spillway as of Sunday, June 21. Water levels are expected this weekend to be below 884 feet, which is the crest of the emergency spillway. Also, water in the Red Rock area appears to be dropping by one foot per day.
The Department of Natural Resources is asking anyone that sees large or unsafe debris (such as drums, hazardous waste, etc.) floating in rivers to call 515-281-8694. Once the debris has been reported, a crew will be called out to remove it.
AREAS OF CONCERN
State officials continue to closely monitor the Mississippi River in southeast Iowa while aggressively coordinating recovery efforts in other parts of the state.
Keokuk
The river is projected to crest in Keokuk on Thursday afternoon at 27.4 feet, just under the record of 27.6 feet.
Iowa National Guard troops and other state resources remain in the area and are ready to help local officials respond to any emergency.
Local officials along the Mississippi in southeast Iowa have used the days before the river surge to effectively raise levees to protect key infrastructure items like water treatment plants. “All state resources will be used to continue this flood fight,” Governor Chet Culver stressed.
The Governor visited Fort Madison and Keokuk Wednesday afternoon to ensure local officials and first responders have the state resources they need.
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.
Four Disaster Recovery Centers were established in Cedar Rapids Wednesday. These centers give those impacted by the floods a place to meet face to face with state and federal workers to learn about specific programs available to help them and the steps needed to enroll in those programs.
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.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE STATUS UPDATE
The Iowa Department of Transportation is advising motorists to use the interstate bridges in the Quad Cities to cross between Iowa and Illinois.
Iowa 2 (off of U.S. 61): The Fort Madison toll bridge in Lee County (also known as the Santa Fe Swing Span Bridge) that connects Fort Madison, Iowa, and Niota, Ill., is open. The bridge is the eastern terminus of Iowa 2, and western terminus of Illinois Route 9. Although this route was reopened, Illinois Routes 9 and 96 are closed by high water heading east and north from Niota. Illinois Route 96 southbound from Niota is the only route open once you cross the bridge into Illinois.
U.S. 34 bridge in Burlington: A levee breech in Gulfport, Ill., caused the U.S. 34 bridge at Burlington, Iowa, to close. This bridge remains closed.
U.S. 136 bridge at Keokuk: The U.S. 136 crossing at Keokuk is presently open to only local traffic. Flaggers are in place to assist motorists. This bridge will be closed overnight from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. to allow crews to work on raising the elevation of the road with rock and gravel.
Quincy, Ill., crossings: The Bayview Bridge on Illinois Route 96 at Quincy is open and temporarily carrying traffic in both directions. The Memorial Bridge remains closed due to high water.
Iowa 92 bridge at Muscatine: While the Iowa 92 bridge in Muscatine is open, several connecting roadways are closed, making it difficult to reach destinations beyond Muscatine. The state routes out of Muscatine currently include: Iowa 38 north to Interstate 80 and U.S. 61 east to the Quad Cities.
ROADWAYS OPEN TO TRAFFIC
- I-380 and H Avenue Interchange: in Linn County (ramp closure only) – southbound
- I-380 exit ramp (#21) to H Avenue is now open.
- 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) are now 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 are now open.
- I-380 exit ramp Diagonal Drive Interchange: in Linn County (ramp closure only) – The northbound I-380 exit ramp (#19A) to Diagonal Drive is now open.
- U.S. 151 Business: in Linn County – The city of Cedar Rapids has opened the 1st Avenue bridge (also Business U.S. 151) in downtown Cedar Rapids.
- Iowa 5: in Warren County – Iowa 5 is now open in Warren County, both directions, at Hartford.
Updates or revisions to closure information
- Iowa 220: Iowa County - Due to roadway damage, Iowa 220 has been reduced to one lane from U.S. 6 to West Amana. Traffic is being flagged through the lane reduction. Until further notice, the roadway will be open from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily; and closed from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. so repair work can be performed.
- For travel between Muscatine and Davenport, motorists should take U.S. 61 east to Interstate 280, Interstate 280 north to Interstate 80, and then into or around the city of Davenport via Interstate 80.
Previously mentioned and updated road closures
Interstate routes
- 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.
Many of the closures on this list will remain in place for an extended period of time due to damaged pavements. It is extremely important that motorists not move barricades on closed roads, as driving on the damaged roadways can be severe in places and put motorist in danger.
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.
INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
FEMA today approved the following counties for individual assistance: Jasper, Mahaska, Mills, Monona, Chickasaw, Crawford and Warren.
They join the following counties, which were previously covered under a Presidential Disaster Declaration for individual assistance: 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.
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
FEMA today approved the following counties for Public Assistance: Allamakee, Fayette, Johnson, Jones, Page, Adair Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Madison, Taylor and Webster.
These counties join the following counties, which were previously covered under a Presidential Disaster Declaration for public assistance: Adams, Linn, Winneshiek, Grundy, Howard, Iowa, Marshall, Mitchell, Ringgold, Worth, Wright, Clayton, Black Hawk, Boone, Buchanan, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Crawford, Dallas, Delaware, 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.
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.
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
SHELTERS
American Red Cross Open Shelters:
Benton County
- Iowa Braille School, 1002 G Avenue Vinton, IA 52349; 8 occupants
Black Hawk County
- UNI West Gym, University Ave & Campus St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613; 38 occupants
Bremer County
- Wartburg College, 222 9th ST NW, Waverly, IA 50677; 30 occupants
Des Moines County
- West Burlington High School, 408 W Van Weiss, West Burlington, Iowa ; 7 occupants
Johnson County
- Johnson County Fairgrounds, 4265 Oak Crest Hill Rd SE Iowa City, IA 52240; 29 occupants
- Northwest Jr High School, 1507 8th Street, Coralville, Iowa 52241; 29 occupants
Linn County
- Viola Gibson Elm. School, 6101 Gibson Dr. NE Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404; 81 occupants
- Prairie High School, 401 76th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 62404; 141 occupants
Louisa County
- Louisa/Muscatine School, 14353 170th St, Letts, Iowa 52754; 6 occupants
21 shelters are in standby mode throughout the State
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
– Eddyville= 30
• Polk Co
– Des Moines = 240
• Scott Co
– Bettendorf (Duck Creek Area) = 350
• Wapello County
– Ottumwa = 200
– Cargill Plant is Ok
• 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
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
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.
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 http://www.weather.gov .
PRESS BRIEFINGS
A copy of 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 THURSDAY, JUNE 19
DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver will join President Bush as he travels throughout eastern Iowa Thursday. Details will be provided as soon as they are available.
| What: | Governor Culver will join with President Bush during his tour of Iowa flood damage |
| Where: | To Be Announced |
| When: | To Be Announced |
| Note: | GOVERNOR CULVER WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR MEDIA INTERVIEWS FOLLOWING THE PRESIDENT’S VISIT. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SPEAKING WITH GOVERNOR CULVER, PLEASE CONTACT THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE AT 515.281.0173. |