The Red Cross is currently driving around distributing flood clean up buckets.  They also have tarps, shovels, large heavy trash bags, etc.  The just began on the east side.  They are also available at Central Lyon Elementary Gym.

The First Reformed Church of Orange City will be serving burgers, bean, and chips in the Library parking lot.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Now Available for Iowa Counties

Iowa Workforce Development is now accepting applications for DUA from individuals in Clay, Emmet, Lyon,
Plymouth, and Sioux counties in Northwest Iowa and Adams, Cedar, and Jasper counties in Southwest Iowa.
whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to severe storms, straight-line winds,
tornadoes, and/or flooding stemming from weather that began on June 16.

DUA expands eligibility for unemployment benefits and provides assistance to the self-employed, including
business owners and farmers. Impacted individuals can start applying today. Applications for this DUA must be
filed by August 23, 2024.

For eligibility requirements and other information, visit Iowa Workforce Development’s Unemployment Benefits
Online Application System (workforce.iowa.gov).

How to apply for FEMA assistance:
• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
• Download and use the FEMA app
• Call FEMA directly at 800-621-FEMA (3362)

Apply with FEMA whether or not you have insurance

Money provided by FEMA does not have to be repaid and may include:

• Serious Needs: Money for lifesaving and life-sustaining items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation.
• Displacement Assistance: Money you can use to stay in a hotel or motel, stay with family or friends, or for any other available housing options if you can’t return home following a disaster.
• Home Repair or Replacement: Money to help you repair or replace your home damaged by the disaster. The money can also help with pre-existing damage to parts of your home where the disaster caused further damage.
• Rental Assistance: Money you can use to rent housing if you are displaced from your home because of the disaster.
• Personal Property: Money to help you repair or replace appliances, room furnishings, and a personal or family computer damaged by the disaster. This can also include money for books, uniforms, tools, additional computers and other items required for school or work, including self-employment.
• Child Care: Money to help you pay for increased or child care expenses caused by the disaster.
• Transportation: Money to help you repair or replace a vehicle damaged by the disaster when you don’t have another vehicle you can use.
• Moving and Storage Expenses: Money to help you move and store personal property from your home to prevent additional damage.

 

Have this information ready when you apply with FEMA
Only one registration per household is needed. When you apply, have the following information available:
• Address with ZIP code
• Condition of your damaged home
• Basic list of your property damage, losses and needs
• Insurance policy information, including the policy number
• Social Security number of one member of the household
• Phone number where you can be contacted
• An email address or physical address where you can get mail
• Bank account information for direct deposit of funds

 

FEMA home inspections continue in Iowa counties
FEMA housing inspectors are working in designated counties inspecting damage reported by people who have applied with FEMA for disaster assistance. Inspectors will call or text first to make an appointment. They will display official photo ID. If it is not visible, it is OK to ask to see it. This helps prevent fraud.
Applicants without insurance may be contacted first. Insured applicants may be contacted for an inspection after they send FEMA a copy of the declarations page from their insurance policy or settlement information.

6/27 Volunteer dispatch schedule Friday 6/28: 8AM-5PM, Saturday 6/29: 8AM-2PM, Monday 7/1: 8AM-2PM

6/26 Volunteer dispatch for Thursday 6/27 will be 8AM-6PM

6/25 Volunteer dispatch for Wednesday 6/26 will be 10AM-7PM.

6/24 Volunteer Dispatch center will be closing tonight 6/24 at 7PM.  They will open back up tomorrow morning at 8AM-7PM.

6/24 The phone number to reach the Volunteer dispatch center is (712)472-2113.  Currently it is set up to take messages.  If you need volunteer assistance, please call this number and leave a message with your name, address, type of worked needing to be done, and phone number.  We will get your information added to the list.

6/23 There is a volunteer dispatch center set up in the Forster Community Building starting Monday, June 24 at 8AM-8PM.  If you have volunteers who want to help, please send them there to be dispatched.  If you know people who need help stop down at the Community Building to get on the list and we will send volunteers as they are available.

Please read the attached link.

 

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/IACIO/bulletins/3a4bdd3

Here is another great source of information….

https://www.iowa.gov/media/187/download?inline=

Approved Counties: Clay, Emmet, Lyon, Plymouth and Sioux

For BUSINESS

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/economic-injury-disaster-loans

This is actually a VERY easy site to navigate and I suspect people can do most of this on their own. If you need assistance, reach out to me…if they need internet connection, laptop usage, a guiding hand, etc…..

–  It mentions the use, terms, payments, etc.

 

For HOME:

This one is a little more tricky

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362.

Other options include registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov or downloading the FEMA app.

 

They have made this very self guided

What to Expect When You Apply Online

–  Disaster is Declared
After a major disaster, the President may declare Individual Assistance for certain damaged areas in a state. If you live in one of these areas, you may qualify to apply

START THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Create an Account on Login.gov
You need to create an account so you can do a few things:

Save your application to finish later, get your status and respond to messages, and upload documents.

Gather Your Personal Information
You’ll need to have as much of the following info ready as you can:
Home, mailing, and email addresses; phone number; Social Security number (SSN); banking and insurance info.

Fill Out the Application
Enter as much detail as you can. You can go back to your account later to enter anything you don’t have handy now.

Review and Send Your Application
Check what you’ve entered, make changes if you need to, and send your application to FEMA. Remember to save and keep your Application ID. You’ll need it anytime you talk with FEMA.

AFTER YOU APPLY

FEMA Reviews Your Application
If FEMA can’t qualify you based on your application alone, we may request more info or to inspect your home.

Check Your Email
FEMA will email you when you have messages in your account.

Check Your Status
You can sign in to your account at any time to check the status of your application.

Get Payment
If you qualify, FEMA will send a payment using the method you choose. You can get a direct deposit or a check by mail.

**Boil Advisory & request to conserve water has been lifted**

ATTENTION

The Boil Advisory has been lifted! The DNR has given the all clear for Rock Rapids Municipal water and it is safe to drink! We do ask that you continue to conserve water for a little longer, at least as much as possible. Feel free to follow the instructions below but hold off on unnecessary laundry/ dishes for a little bit more.

What should homeowners do when the boil water notice is lifted?

– Flush household pipes/faucets first: To flush your plumbing, run all your cold water faucets on full for at least 5 minutes each. If your service connection is long or complex (like in an apartment building) consider flushing for a longer period. Your building superintendent or landlord should be able to advise you on longer flushing times.

– Automatic ice makers: Dump existing ice and flush the water feed lines by making and discarding three batches of ice cubes. Wipe down the ice bin with a disinfectant. If your water feed line to the machine is longer than 20 feet, increase to five batches.

– Hot water heaters, water coolers, in line filters, and other appliances with direct water connections or water tanks: Run enough water to completely replace at least one full volume of all lines and tanks. If your filters are near the end of their life, replace them.

– Water softeners: Run through a regeneration cycle.

– Reverse Osmosis (RO) units: Replace pre-filters, check owner’s manual.

– Replace other water filters, as they are disposable and may be contaminated. This applies especially to carbon filters and others that are near the end of their life.

Thank you everyone for your understanding! If you have a neighbor that does not use the internet or listen to the radio, please let them know about this as well!

 

The bathrooms with showers north of the pool are open and available for use.  We are still in a conserve water situation.  Please keep that in mind.