Spencer, Iowa — Spencer officials estimate about 80 percent of the more than five thousand homes, business and other structures in their city were hit by flooding or backed up sewer water last month.
Spencer Mayor Steve Bomgaars says 30 percent of Spencer businesses have been impacted by the disaster.
Bomgaars made his comments late Wednesday after he and about three dozen local leaders met with Governor Kim Reynolds and other state officials to talk about flood recovery concerns. Spencer is the largest community in Clay County and federal officials say over 15 hundred households in Clay County already have been approved for federal disaster assistance. John Mills, a spokesman for FEMA, says his agency has provided over 16 MILLION dollars to Clay County flood victims.
As of Thursday, about 50 people were living in a Red Cross shelter in Spencer. A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Spencer is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mills says FEMA staff at the Disaster Recovery Center are able to help residents apply for government assistance and Small Business Administration disaster loans.
Over 50 Clay County residents who had federal flood insurance have already filed claims. Spencer experienced the worst flooding by both the Little Sioux and Ocheyedan Rivers since 1953. The waterways converge through the main part of town.
