President Biden approves disaster declaration for Union Co.

The Creston News Advertiser, Iowa
·2 min read

May 14—WASHINGTON ­— FEMA announced Tuesday, federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Iowa to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and tornadoes from April 26-27.

The president's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Clarke, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby and Union counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

DuWayne Tewes has been named Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program is no longer available in counties where the FEMA Individual Assistance Program has been made available and residents should apply for the FEMA Individual Assistance Program.

Union, Clarke and Ringgold counties will be hosting a Multi-Agency Resource Center at the Union County Fairgrounds — Small Animal Building in Afton, to assist persons and businesses (including Ag partners) with finding recovery resources.The event will be from noon to 6 p.m., Thursday, May 16.

The American Red Cross, Salvation Army, MATURA (12-3 p.m.), Area Agency on Aging — Connections, Iowa Legal Aid, Crisis Canines, a member of Union County Board of Supervisors and Ringgold County Public Health will be in attendance.