WASHINGTON – The deadline for Iowans to register for federal disaster assistance is October 13, 2010. The deadline applies to registration only. It is not the deadline for all related paperwork. Homeowners, renters, and business owners who suffered losses in the June 1 to Aug. 31, 2010 severe storms, flooding and tornados who live in one of the 35 declared counties may be eligible for disaster assistance. Included in the declaration are Appanoose, Black Hawk, Cherokee, Clayton, Decatur, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Howard, Humboldt, Ida, Jackson, Jasper, Jones, Kossuth, Lee, Lucas, Lyon, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, O’Brien, Osceola, Polk, Ringgold, Sioux, Story, Taylor, Union, Wapello, Warren, Webster and Wright counties. It’s important for anyone impacted by the storms to register even if no decision has yet been made to submit additional paperwork. Registration ensures that the person impacted may ask for federal assistance in the future.
Two Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Centers are closing. The locations closing are below.
Fayette County
Oelwein Fire Department
200 W. Charles St.
Oelwein, IA 50662
Closing Date: Friday, October 8, 2010, 6 p.m.
Marion County
2003 N. Lincoln St.
Knoxville, IA 50138
Closing Date: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 6 p.m.
FEMA help will still be available after the Disaster Recovery Centers close through the FEMA Helpline. People who have registered for assistance with FEMA can call 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, to:
• Update registrant information, including change in income, telephone number and address
• Check the status of applications
• Refer special needs to other recovery agencies
• Answer questions about documentation still needed to gain assistance
• Answer questions about eligibility letters received
• Answer questions about correspondence received from FEMA