FEMA Decision on Individual Assistance

Press Release

Senator Chuck Grassley made the following comment about the decision by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, to make Iowans in Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona and Pottawattamie counties eligible for Individual Assistance in response to damage caused by this year's Missouri River flooding. Senator Grassley urged FEMA to reverse its previous position, under which Iowans in these areas would have access to Individual Assistance, in personal meetings with the Administrator of FEMA, W. Craig Fugate, and in a recent letter endorsing Governor Branstad's appeal to FEMA.

Grassley comment:

"Iowans who lost their homes and businesses in the Missouri River flooding this year deserve to be treated fairly, and this decision is a very significant move in that direction. It's only right that Iowa flood victims be treated equitably, compared to the kind of assistance given to flood victims elsewhere, including right across the river from Iowa. The magnitude and severity of the Missouri River flooding in Iowa merits maximum eligibility for federal disaster relief."

In addition to flood recovery, Senator Grassley's efforts continue for flood prevention and control. Yesterday he testified before a U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing reviewing the 2011 floods and the condition of the nation's flood-control systems. He also met one-on-one yesterday afternoon with Brigadier General John McMahon, who is in charge of the Northwest Division of the Corps that handles the portion of the Missouri River in Iowa.

Grassley comment:

"Serious questions have been raised about the way the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has managed flows on the Missouri River. The Corps needs to fully account for its decisions of the last year, and the actions and proposals for the future management of the Missouri River need to be carefully examined to avoid a repeat of what we saw this year. In addition to securing a long-term fix to make flood control the top priority for Corps management of the Missouri River, there's an important immediate issue about when to evacuate water being held upstream in order to make room for next year's runoff, while also allowing time this year for evaluation and repair of dams and water-logged levees downstream. It's not possible to complete all of these repairs before winter sets in, so everything possible needs to be done to protect residents along the Missouri River from flooding again next year."

According to FEMA, there are four ways to register for Individual Assistance:
1. Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Operators assist callers seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Help is available in most languages. If an individual has a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, they can call 1-800-462-7585.
2. Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
3. Register using a tablet or smartphone by visiting m.fema.gov.
4. For individuals who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), they can call 1-800-621-3362.

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