FEMA provides assistance in several northwest Iowa counties

LE MARS, Iowa (KCAU) – Federal Emergency Management Agency teams are currently visiting shelters and neighborhoods in Clay, Emmet, Lyon, Plymouth and Sioux Counties to help those who have been affected by floods.

“We’re here to help out with rental assistance, temporary housing, rebuilding of the house, and resources, and medical things like that that people might need in the different affected areas,” FEMA media correspondent Tiana Suber said.

Homeowners that have been relocated due to damage are eligible to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. Locations like the Plymouth County Courthouse Annex are currently hosting teams to help people through the process.

“We’re asking for your address, we’re asking for your ID, we’re asking for your insurance claim, we’re asking for your rental agreements, things like that that help identify who you are and where you lived prior to the disaster,” Suber said.

FEMA asks that those with flood insurance file a claim before applying for assistance.

“Once you file with that, you let FEMA know, and once you get that claim saying that maybe you’re underinsured, everything is not covered under your insurance, bring that letter to us and we will help you through the rest of the application process,” Suber said.

Once applied, a FEMA agent will inspect your home at a scheduled time.

“Once you have that inspection, your information goes to FEMA and then they make a decision about the eligibility of your grants,” Suber said. “Once you get that, you have a letter in the mail stating that you are approved for the grants that you are eligible for, or you are not approved and we need more information from you.”

FEMA encourages people to stay in contact during and after the process to receive all of the help they can give.

“We continue to help you throughout the process of other resources that might be available to you including nonprofit information, and tax information, or disaster legal assistance, or disaster unemployment assistance that we can lead and guide you to as well,” Suber said.

To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, call 1-800-621-3362 or click here .

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