Northwest Iowa — Federal Emergency Management Agency officials have provided us with an accounting of how much has been spent in our area for disaster recovery this year after the devastating flooding that struck early this past summer.
FEMA officials tell us the organization has provided more than $70 million in Individual Assistance to Iowa residents who suffered serious damage from this year’s flooding, severe storms, and tornadoes. In addition to Individual Assistance money, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has paid over $27 million in claims for Iowa policyholders.
For those households who need more extended temporary housing, FEMA has worked with the state of Iowa and local officials to provide Manufactured Housing Units (MHUs). As of December 23, 2024, there are over 100 households now residing in MHUs in Northwest Iowa.
FEMA tells us that for Sioux County, $20,124,424 in Individual Assistance has been provided to 969 households. For O’Brien County, $3,755,668 in Individual Assistance has been provided to 710 households. For Lyon County, $3,334,478 in Individual Assistance has been provided for 553 households. And for Osceola County, $1,136,898 in Individual Assistance has been provided for 224 households. Individual Assistance provides financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster, who have uninsured or underinsured expenses and serious needs.
For more information, or to update FEMA on your current situation, you can start by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. You can also contact FEMA online or on the FEMA app.
FEMA officials tell us you should consider calling them to update your insurance information or determination, receive information on the home inspection process, find out if FEMA needs more information about your claim, update FEMA on your housing situation, learn how to appeal an ineligibility determination, or to get answers to other questions about an application.
