(Resources are being added to this page when available.)

 

Iowa flooding updates

Updates by day from the State emergency operations center (PDF).

• Monday, March 18
• Tuesday, March 19
• Wednesday, March 20
• Thursday, March 21
• Friday, March 22
• Saturday, March 23
• Sunday, March 24
• Monday, March 25
• Tuesday, March 26

Help hotlines

• Iowa Concern Hotline. When flooding is a concern, ISU Extension's Iowa Concern Hotline is available for those who need assistance. The hotline is available 24/7. All calls are free and confidential, and the operators are willing to assist wherever possible. Call 1-800-447-1985.
• 2-1-1. Residents may call 2-1-1 with questions or concerns about the flooding and steps they should take. They are open 24/7. The primary purpose of the centers is to link people with the resources they need in their communities. 211 can connect you with someone who speaks your language. Call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211 if you have needs at this time.

Local emergency management agencies

If you have questions or need to contact the local emergency manager where you live, find their contact information here (PDF).

 

 

Public health fact sheets

The Iowa Department of Public Safety has more than 20 fact sheets posted on their flood page, covering the following subject areas:

• Immunization recommendations
  (For example: Do I need a tetanus shot?)
• Family and pet safety and health
• Cleaning up after flooding
• Food and water safety
• Business-specific information

Natural resources fact sheets

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has a flood resources page with a lot of great information. Visit www.iowadnr.gov/disaster to access several fact sheets covering areas such as:

• Debris management
• Flood protective measures
• Wildlife impacts
• Mold remediation
• Well safety
• Propane Safety
• Emergency haying and grazing on DNR land

For businesses

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The Foundation has a Disaster Help Desk to help small businesses and chambers navigate the recovery process. Call 1-888-692-4943 or visit the helpdesk online. Also access their online recovery guides.

 

For farmers and producers

• Proper Management of Flooded Grain and Hay. A PDF document from the Iowa Dept. of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
• Flooding and Stored Grain. A PDF document from Iowa State University Extension.
• List of Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. Customers can access the services provided by the FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural Development agencies.
• USDA Reference Guide. Producers can use this guide for federal assistance offered.
• Livestock Indemnity Program fact sheet. This FSA program financially assists producers when they suffer loss of livestock due to adverse weather.
• Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) fact sheet. ECP can provide some cost-share assistance to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters. It also can provide cost-share assistance to help restore fences damaged or lost due to natural disaster.
  
  

For food establishments during a boil water advisory

• Questions and Answers from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals

Donations and volunteers

• Donations. One thing those affected by the disaster don't need is the logistical nightmare that is created when a surge of unsolicited donations pour into their communities and overwhelm those tasked with recovery. This phenomenon is often referred to as the "second disaster." If you'd really like to donate, cash is always best. Visit the Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council's page for Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.
• Volunteer. Please, do not "self deploy" to a disaster area so you can help out. Doing so only causes complications with official response and rescue efforts. Instead, register as a volunteer with Volunteer Iowa. To find out more, contact Volunteer Iowa at icvs@iowaeda.com or 515-348-6235. Remember, recovery lasts a lot longer than the media attention. There will be volunteer needs for many months and sometimes years after the disaster.

River forecasts and stream gauges

National Weather Service. See recently updated information about river levels and flood forecasts on the National Weather Service's websites. Click on the map or links below for the specific office. Then click the "Rivers and Lakes" link right above the map on the forecast office's home page. From there, zero in on the particular river gauge for which you would like to see information. Find current river levels and forecasts. (Hover over, or click the circle or diamond.)

• Des Moines. Adair, Adams, Appanoose, Audubon, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Butler, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Cerro Gordo, Clarke, Crawford, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Emmet, Franklin, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Humboldt, Jasper, Kossuth, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Monroe, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Polk, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Sac, Story, Tama, Taylor, Union, Wapello, Warren, Wayne, Webster, Winnebago, Worth, Wright (51 counties).
• Quad Cities. Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Des Moines, Dubuque, Henry, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Muscatine, Scott, Van Buren, Washington (21 counties).
• Sioux Falls, S.D. Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Ida, Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux, Woodbury (11 counties).
• La Crosse, Wis. Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Floyd, Howard, Mitchell, Winneshiek (8 counties).
• Omaha, Neb. Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, Shelby (8 counties).

Road closures

 

511ia.org. The current list of roads closed due to flood water. Also, links to the apps for Android and iOS as well as the 511ia Facebook and Twitter accounts.

 

 

Department, EMAs remember colleague and friend

 

JAN. 28, 2019 - On Friday, Jan. 25, the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management lost a member of our team. We are understandably devastated by the loss.

 

From HSEMD Director Joyce Flinn: "Mitch Nordmeyer was a valued friend and member of our team here at the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. His professionalism and knowledge, balanced with his ready smile, booming laugh, and larger-than-life presence, will be missed by us all. Many of us had the privilege of working with Mitch when he served for several years as the Butler County emergency manager prior to joining our department as the state training officer in April 2018. He was passionate about serving the citizens of Butler County and generously provided support and assistance to his first responder and emergency management brothers and sisters throughout the state. We send our heartfelt sympathy to Mitch's family and many friends and share in their loss."

 

 

 

 

Remembering the Summer of 2008

Recovery to Resilience: The Tornado and the Little Sioux Boy Scout Ranch

First, an EF-5 tornado leveled half the town of Parkersburg. Then came the rain. Then, on June 11, 2008, four boys were killed at the Little Sioux Boy Scout Ranch in Monona County. Current and former staff from the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, including former department head David Miller and current Director Joyce Flinn, recall the night the storm blew through the Loess Hills and the State Emergency Operations Center.

 

 

 

Recovery to Resilience: The Beginning of Disaster 1763

It began on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend - May 25, 2008. At 4:48 p.m. an EF-5 tornado formed and ripped across 43 miles of Butler and Black Hawk counties in Iowa. It was to be the beginning of the worst disaster season the state had ever faced, with more than $2 billion in damage from storms, tornadoes, and flooding. In this video, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management staff recall the events surrounding the "Parkersburg tornado."