Press Release Archive

Friday, June 20, 2008

Governor Issues Additional Proclamations to Assist Iowans

Lieutenant Governor Tours Agricultural Damage

Today, Governor Chet Culver added Lyon County to the list of counties that have been proclaimed state emergency disaster areas. That brings the total number of counties with Governor’s Disaster Proclamations to 84. The Governor’s proclamation activates Iowa’s individual disaster assistance program, which helps low income Iowans impacted by a disaster.

Counties now covered by the Governor’s proclamation: Adams, Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Carroll, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clarke, Clayton, Crawford, Dallas, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Fremont, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Howard, Humboldt, Iowa, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Kossuth, Linn, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Mitchell, Monona, Montgomery, Muscatine, Page, Polk, Ringgold, Scott, Story, Tama, Taylor, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Webster, Winneshiek, Worth, and Wright.

The Governor issued other proclamations that will help Iowans affected by flooding and severe weather as they begin down the road to recovery.

Extended Deadline for Iowa Taxes

The proclamation extends the deadline to July 28, 2008, for taxpayers affected by flooding or tornados and have returns and payments due after May 24, 2008, and before June 26, 2008. The extension includes the following taxes: corporation income, withholding, franchise, sales and use, hotel/motel, local option, inheritance, motor fuel and special fuel, cigarette and tobacco, and the environmental protection charge.

Linn County: Deadline Extended to File for Property Tax Credits

The deadline for taxpayers affected by the flooding in Linn County has been extended until July 31, 2008. The extension applies to Linn County taxpayers applying for the following property tax credits: Homestead, Disabled Veterans, and Military Service.

Banking Statute Waiver

This proclamation allows state-chartered banks that have closed offices or principal places of business due to flooding and severe weather to operate out of a temporary location without receiving prior approval of the superintendent of banking. State-chartered banks operating out of the temporary locations shall notify the superintendent of banking of their temporary locations and when they return to their usual locations.

DOT Title, Licenses, Replacements Waiver

This proclamation suspends the five day period and the issuance fee for a replacement copy of an original certificate of title to the owner of a vehicle upon a written statement from the owner that the original certificate was lost or damaged in the storms. This proclamation also suspends the fee for an issuance of a replacement registration card, plate or pair of plates, substitute driver’s licenses or non-operator’s identification cards that were lost or made illegible in the storms. The proclamation also extends time to renew vehicle registration plates and the amount of time a transferee has to obtain a new registration and title from the County Treasurer. Lastly, this proclamation extends the time a vehicle on Iowa highways can operate without registration plates and a dealer card.

Lt. Governor Tours Agricultural Damage

Also today, Lt. Governor Judge led a tour to assess flood-related agricultural damage, with stops in Cedar Rapids and Burlington. Joining the Lt. Governor was Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and representatives from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, the US Department of Agriculture, the Iowa Cattleman’s Association, the Iowa Corngrowers Association, the Iowa Pork Producers, and the Iowa Soybean Association.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE

Additional counties have been added to the Presidential Disaster Declaration, bringing the number of counties eligible for federal assistance to 65. Here is the latest list.

Hancock, Kossuth, Lee, Madison, Marshall and Wapello counties have been added to the May 27 federal major disaster declaration providing Individual Assistance to homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding beginning on May 25 and continuing. Federal Individual Assistance has now been approved for 42 Iowa counties. Counties now approved for federal Individual Assistance programs are: Adams, Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clayton, Crawford, Delaware, Des Moines, Fayette, Floyd, Fremont, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Kossuth, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Monona, Muscatine, Page, Polk, Story, Tama, Union, Wapello, Warren and Winneshiek.

Residents who were affected in these counties are now eligible to register with FEMA by calling

1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairment or online at www.fema.gov. The toll-free numbers are now operating 24 hours, seven days a week.

In addition, state and local governments and certain non-profit organizations in Benton, Bremer, Cass, Cedar, Clinton, Decatur, Fremont, Green, Guthrie, Hamilton, Mahaska, Montgomery, Poweshiek and Wapello counties are now eligible to apply for federal Public Assistance to help pay for costs associated with 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 to explain the application process will be held for state and local officials.

The 55 counties currently approved for federal Public Assistance for emergency work and the repair of disaster damaged facilities are: Adair, Adams, Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cass, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clayton, Clinton, Crawford, Dallas, Decatur, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Fremont, Green, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Howard, Humboldt, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Kossuth, Linn, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mitchell, Montgomery, Page, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Story, Tama, Taylor, Union, Wapello, Warren, Webster, Winneshiek, Worth and Wright. Joint federal and state disaster assessments throughout the state are on-going.

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

Disaster Recovery Centers Open

There are now 19 Disaster Recover Centers open and there are plans to open over 30 more over the next few days. The centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. Residents of any county designated in the federal disaster declaration may go to any DRC listed below for information. FEMA disaster assistance specialists and representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be available to answer questions. Other state, federal and non-profit organizations will have information at the DRC as well.

Anyone with storm-related damage is encouraged to register with FEMA prior to visiting a disaster recovery center, but phones are available at the center if residents have not pre-registered. Register by calling FEMA’s toll-free registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with speech or hearing impairments, 24 hours, seven days a week or register online anytime at www.fema.gov.

residents can meet face to face with state and federal agencies to learn of the assistance programs that are available to them. For the latest list go to the flood 2008 website, http://www.flood2008.iowa.gov. Residents of any county designated in the federal disaster declaration may go to any DRC listed below for information.

AREAS OF CONCERN

Des Moines

The Army Corp of Engineers says water should no longer be flowing over the Saylorville Lake emergency spillway as of Sunday, June 22. 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.

Keokuk

U.S. Highway 136 Hamilton-Keokuk bridge is now open.

The river crested in Keokuk at 26.9 feet, just under the record of 27.6 feet.

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 received via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) 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.

Three Disaster Recovery Centers are currently operating in Cedar Rapids. 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.

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.

UNSAFE DEBRIS REPORTING

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.

ROAD CLOSURES

Many of the closures on this list will remain in place for an extended period of time due to extensive damage. It is extremely important that motorists do not move barricades on closed roads, as entering a closed road presents a serious risk.

Bridge Closure-Allamakee County, Hwy. 76 bridge over Upper Iowa River.

 

Updates

  • Iowa 76: in Allamakee County – Iowa 76 is closed south of the Minnesota state line for bridge repair.

Roads open to traffic since the last update

  • Iowa 92: in Louisa County – Iowa 92 is open in Columbus Junction.
  • Iowa 70: in Louisa County - Iowa 70 is open to traffic from Iowa 92 to before the Muscatine County line.

The Iowa DOT's temporary customer service phone line has been discontinued due to the opening of the major highway arteries through the state.

Additional road closure information is available on the DOT’s Web site at www.iowadot.gov. Click on the “Alert Flooded Roadways” icon.

Flood safety tips and other helpful information for travelers are available at: http://iowadot.gov/floods/index.html

For out-of-state travelers, information can be found at:

Missouri
800-222-6400
http://www.modot.org/northeast

Illinois
800-452-4368
http://dot.state.il.us/tpublic.html

FATALITIES

There have been 17 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)

An 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.

SHELTERS

American Red Cross Open Shelters:

  • Black Hawk County
    • UNI West Gym, University Ave & Campus St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613; 36 occupants
  • Bremer County
    • Wartburg College, 222 9th ST NW, Waverly, IA 50677; 26 occupants
  • Des Moines County
    • West Burlington High School, 408 W Van Weiss, West Burlington, Iowa ; 8 occupants
  • Johnson County
    • Johnson County Fairgrounds, 4265 Oak Crest Hill Rd SE Iowa City, IA 52240; 26 occupants
    • Northwest Jr High School, 1507 8th Street, Coralville, Iowa 52241; 31 occupants
  • Linn County
    • Viola Gibson Elm. School, 6101 Gibson Dr. NE Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404; 67 occupants
    • Prairie High School, 401 76th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 62404; 105 occupants

4 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) = 50 homes
  • 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 www.weather.gov

SCHEDULE FOR GOVERNOR AND LT. GOVERNOR

No information available at this time.

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.

PLEASE NOTE

The Joint Information Center at the State Emergency Operations Center will close at 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 20, and open at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, June 21.