About 5,400 Iowa families struck by flooding are to get $56 million in federal housing aid

The federal government is sending about $56 million to nearly 5,400 Iowa families struck by record flooding in June, according to FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The money will help repair homes and cover the cost of temporary places to live and other critical needs not covered by insurance.

Another $6 million is being channeled to Iowa victims through FEMA’s national flood insurance program, the agency says.

The June flooding was especially severe in Rock Valley, Rock Rapids and Spencer in northwest Iowa. Iowa also was hammered this spring by a pair of tornado outbreaks. Residents in 28 counties qualify for state or federal assistance.

In addition to the flood aid, FEMA says it’s provided:

• Nearly $1 million to 317 families recovering from tornadoes that ripped through Minden and other locations in western Iowa on April 26 and 27.
• Nearly $3 million to 554 families slammed by tornadoes May 20 and 21. The worst of the damage was in Greenfield, where four people died.

Iowans are still applying for and getting help to recover from those and other disasters this year. About 6,300 households have received assistance so far.

John Mills, a FEMA spokesman, said the federal assistance covers some of the costs families experience outside of what's covered by insurance. The federal assistance going to flood victims exceeds that for wind and tornado damage because fewer Iowans have insurance for flooding, leaving more of a gap for FEMA to fill.

Gov. Kim Reynolds on Aug. 20 announced that the state has provided $7.2 million in grants to developers who are building 175 single-family and multifamily homes in Cherokee, Minden, Rock Rapids, Rock Valley and Spencer, among other disaster-struck communities. Reynolds announced in July the state would provide $10 million for the effort. At the same time, she said the state also would make $50,000 grants to eligible Iowans to repair or rehabilitate homes struck by disasters.

In addition, the state has provided nearly $300,000 in grants to six school districts to help students whose families are struggling with homelessness following disasters. They are Nodaway Valley, serving Greenfield; River Valley, serving Correctionville; Rock Valley; Spencer; and in Minden, Tri-Center Community.

The money, which comes from the state's share of the federal American Rescue Plan Act, can be used for temporary housing, transportation costs, groceries and school supplies, among other needs.

Here’s where to go for help in recovering from the storms:

• FEMA’s helpline at (800) 621-3362 for rental assistance — or visit one of 13 FEMA disaster recovery centers, listed below.
• Iowa’s temporary housing program: Apply online at iowa.gov/state-iowa-assistance or call (833) 307-6030. The call center is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
• Iowa’s disaster recovery housing assistance program, for grants up to $50,000: Apply online at the web address above.

Agriculture recovery events in O’Brien and Woodbury counties

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Iowa Insurance Division and other government agencies are working with industry organizations such as the Iowa Pork Producers, Iowa Soybean and Iowa Cattlemen associations to identify unmet rural needs and provide resources. For help. visit:

• Correctionville Community Center, 312 Driftwood St., Correctionville, noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 22.
• Sheldon Community Service Center, 416 19 ^th St., third Floor, Sheldon, noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 27.

FEMA disaster recovery centers in Iowa

Disaster recovery centers are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday serving:

• Buena Vista County at Sioux Rapids Municipal Pool, 201 Eighth St., Sioux Rapids.
• Woodbury County at Siouxland Regional Transit System, 6401 Gordon Drive, Sioux City.
• Palo Alto County at Lakes Community College, 3200 College Drive, Emmetsburg.
• Dickinson County at the Dickinson County Expo Building meeting room, 1602 15th St., Spirit Lake.
• Cherokee County at Cherokee County Emergency Management, 322 Lake St., Suite B, Cherokee.
• Clay County at Clay County Regional Events Center Tower Gate Pavilion, 800 W. 18th St., Spencer.
• Emmet County at St. Patrick's Church Gym, 903 Central Ave., Estherville.
• Humboldt County at Humboldt County Engineer Secondary Roads Building, 2221 220th St., Humboldt.
• Lyon County at Forster Community Center, 404 First Ave., Rock Rapids.
• Sioux County at City Park Shelter House, 1013 13th Ave., Rock Valley.
• O’Brien County at City of Sheldon Community Services Center, 416 Ninth St., Sheldon.
• Greenfield and the rest of Adair County at Greenfield City Hall, 202 S. First St., Greenfield.
• Pottawattamie County at the Veterans Affairs Building, 623 Sixth Ave., Council Bluffs.

Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Register. Reach her at deller@registermedia.com or 515-284-8457.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: About 5,400 Iowa families struck by flooding are to get $56 million in federal housing aid