Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Meeting this Saturday Postponed

Meeting this Saturday Postponed - See Below. Location, date and time will be announced on an unspecfied date.

________________________________________
From: McGuire, Steve
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 1:32 PM
To: PTV Neighborhood
Subject: Forum will not be this Saturday

Hi All,
The forum to be scheduled this Saturday October 4 will not be held. The recent announcement of additional funding for Flood recovery, while positive, will require additional deliberation on the part of the city, so that having a forum yet this week is premature.

Bob, could you post this on the PVT site?

Best,
Steve

Meeting This Saturday to Clarify the Future of the PTV Neighborhood this Saturday

-----Original Message-----
From: McGuire, Steve
Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 7:42 AM
To: PTV Neighborhood
Subject: Forum

Hi All,

I met with Michael Lombardo yesterday to review where things are with the HMGP application and review how best to notify the neighborhood on potential actions and proposals . To that end, there will be a neighborhood forum next Saturday, time and place to be announced, in which City Manager Michael Lombardo and other staff will present specific options under review for the buyout of specific properties, as well as future flood mitigation projects aimed at protecting the neighborhood. My understanding is that both the state and city are moving quickly (much faster than is typically the case) to establish flood mitigation actions. The city has been in constant consultation with state officials over the past weeks since the “notice of intent” to establish which properties, under the HMGP formula/criteria and the funding available, have a good chance of being bought out.

I am glad to see the pace is as quick as it is. My sense from talking with folks is that we would all like to know sooner rather than later where things stand, so we can each move forward.

Please know that the City Council will soon be voting proposed options. Your attendance at the forum is important.

Best,
Steve

More Information from Iowa City - Jumpstart Program

More information from Iowa City regarding the Jumpstart program


Flood Recovery and Buyout Resource Center link

Update from Jerry

Dear All:

Most of us received some money from FEMA, SBA, Red Cross, Crisis Center and others. I think its fair to say that these amounts are grossly inadequate for our needs. Now some more (but not much more) money is going to become available.

First, Governor Culver has allocated about $680,000 to Iowa City thru his Jumpstart Flood Recovery program. Please see attached PDF document for program details, eligible applicants and type of projects that will be funded.

Second, Congress approved a supplemental Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award in June/July 2008. Per this, Iowa City will get about $1.3 million.

The City will soon invite IC flood victims to apply for funds from these two sources. I believe formal invitations will be sent out on Tuesday October 7 (after a Council vote that evening on some details). To reduce paperwork and expedite the process, there will be just one application for both the programs listed above. Please look over details of the Jumpstart program and see if you would consider applying for assistance and if so, what kind. To help speed up the application process (once it is announced), the City has put out a "jumpstart checklist" -- see the second PDF attachment to this message. Owing to federal and state regulations, the money will most likely not be evenly distributed among all applicants -- older persons and lower income persons may get more than others. [Personally, I think this would be a very fair approach to distributing scarce resources.]

Third, Congress approved another supplemental CDBG grant for disaster affected states in September. Iowa City will get more money from this appropriation as well. How much more is not known but I expect at least $1.3 million more that may become available before the end of the year.

And then, who knows, there may be some FEMA buyouts as well.

Its been a long and stressful time for all of us (over 100 days since evacuation). Hopefully the next 100 days will be better than the last 100. Best. -- Jerry


Share your Flood Story

From: Nancy L. Baker, University Librarian [mailto:lib-friends@uiowa.edu]Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 11:11 AMSubject: [DeptInfo] Share Your Flood StoryOn Friday, June 13 when people from around the community came to the Main Library to help us move books and other materials out of the lower-level storage areas, I started thinking of ways that we could repay their kindness and dedication to the library.We decided that the best "thank you" would be developing a collection of flood-related materials that could involve community members. "Under the Current: Collecting Stories from the Flood" is a community-oriented oral history project in partnership with StoryCorps. You may have heard some StoryCorps interviews on NPR.StoryCorps is a national project to instruct and inspire Americans to record one another's stories in sound. These recorded interviews will be archived in the Iowa Digital Library as well as the Library of Congress.StoryCorps facilitators will be on campus to record interviews on Tuesday, September 30; Wednesday, October 1 and Thursday, October 2.In addition to the StoryCorps visit, we have organized three additional days of local story collecting. Students from Assistant Professor Nanette Barkey's Applied Anthropology class will be acting as facilitators for these additional interviews. These interviews will take place at the Iowa City Public Library on Tuesday, October 7 and Thursday, October 9, and the Coralville Public Library on Saturday, October 11.We are very excited about this collaborative project. If you want to learn more about the project or register to tell your story, you can check out the website www.lib.uiowa.edu/events/floodstories.Nancy L. Baker, University Librarian

Thursday, September 18, 2008

View NOI Buyout App

You should look at this info and determine your property is correctly classified. Please contact Steve or Abbie listed below if you have questions.

View Iowa City's Notice of Interest Buyout Application

Contact Information
Recovery/Buyout Information:Steve Long, Community Development CoordinatorCity Hall, Level 2410 E. Washington St.Iowa City, IA 52240319.356.5250 FAX: 319.356.5217buyout@iowa-city.org
ORAbbie Yoder, Flood Recovery AssistantCity Hall, Level 2410 E. Washington St.Iowa City, IA 5 2240319.356.5479 FAX: 319.356.5217buyout@iowa-city.org

Jumpstart Info

This is just preliminary info - more details to follow in the next few days. Click on it to enlarge it.

Embrace Iowa Grant Info


This is just a list of what may be available to the state of Iowa.


EMBRACE IOWA GRANTS
(As of 9.12.08)

ORGANIZATION AMOUNT COUNTY PURPOSE MONTH 08

American Red Cross - Hawkeye Chapter $25,000 Black Hawk Immediate Emergency June
Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa $25,000 Black Hawk Immediate Emergency June
Cedar Valley United Way $25,000 Black Hawk Immediate Emergency June
Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa $125,000 Black Hawk Immediate Capacity Building July
Black Hawk County Disaster Recovery Committee $70,000 Black Hawk Victim Relief - individual asst./case advocates September

Total Black Hawk County $270,000

Buchanan County Disaster Recovery Committee $30,000 Buchanan Victim Relief - individual asst./case advocates September

Total Buchanan County $30,000

Waverly Shellrock Area United Way $10,000 Bremer Victim Relief and Immediate Capacity Building July

Total Bremer County $10,000

North Central Iowa Growth Partnership $75,000 Cerro Gordo Small Business Recovery July

Total Cerro Gordo County $75,000




ORGANIZATION AMOUNT COUNTY PURPOSE MONTH 08

Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque $30,000 Clayton Victim Relief - major appliances September

Total Clayton County $30,000

Delaware County Disaster Recovery Committee $35,000 Delaware Victim Relief – individual needs September

Total Delaware County $35,000

American Red Cross of the Tri States Chapter $25,000 Dubuque Immediate Emergency June
The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque $25,000 Dubuque Immediate Emergency June

Total Dubuque County $50,000

American Red Cross - Grant Wood Area Chapter $25,000 Johnson Immediate Emergency June
Community Foundation of Johnson County $70,000 Johnson Immediate Capacity Building,
Small Business Recovery, Victim Relief July
Community Foundation of Johnson County $25,000 Johnson Immediate Emergency June
Salvation Army $25,000 Johnson Immediate Emergency June
United Way of Johnson County $25,000 Johnson Immediate Emergency June
Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce $15,000 Johnson Small Business Recovery September
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity $45,000 Johnson Immediate Victim Relief September

Total Johnson County $230,000

American Red Cross - Grant Wood Area Chapter $25,000 Linn Immediate Emergency June
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation $25,000 Linn Immediate Emergency June
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation $300,000 Linn Victim Relief, Small Business Recovery, July
Immediate Capacity Building
The Salvation Army $25,000 Linn Immediate Emergency June
United Way of East Central Iowa $25,000 Linn Immediate Emergency June
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation $150,000 Linn Small Business Recovery, Victim Relief September

Total Linn County $550,000


ORGANIZATION AMOUNT COUNTY PURPOSE MONTH 08

Community Foundation of the Great River Bend $25,000 Louisa Immediate Emergency June
Community Foundation of the Great River Bend $25,000 Louisa Victim Relief July
Community Foundation of the Great River Bend $25,000 Louisa Victim Relief, Immediate Capacity Building September

Total Louisa County $75,000

Mahaska County Conservation Board $10,000 Mahaska Immediate Capacity Building July

Total Mahaska County $10,000

Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine $25,000 Muscatine Immediate Emergency June

Total Muscatine County $25,000

American Red Cross, Central Iowa Chapter $50,000 Polk Victim Relief July
Greater DM Community Foundation $25,000 Polk Immediate Emergency June
Polk County Housing Trust Fund $25,000 Polk Victim Relief July
Central Iowa Recovery Network $50,000 Polk Victim Relief - direct asst./case advocacy September

Total Polk County $150,000

United Way of Quad Cities Area $25,000 Scott Immediate Emergency June

Total Scott County $25,000

United Way and Community Foundation of
Northwest Iowa $25,000 Webster Victim Relief – September
grants to homeowners/case advocates

Total Webster County $25,000

ORGANIZATION AMOUNT COUNTY PURPOSE MONTH 08

Wright County Charitable Foundation $50,000 Wright Victim Relief, Small Business Assistance September

Total Wright County $50,000


Total Grants as of 8/31/08 $1,640,000

After The Flood - Meeting notes from 9/11

The first speaker talked about the difference between a Green belt concept which is designating an area around a development city or area that provides a natural barrier limiting sprawl growth and dividing the community from the surrounding area and greenway which is a buffer along a designated area could be a river area that would have a green space designated to allow for flooding and would allow other activities that wouldn't be affected by flooding. This speaker also talked about FAIR the land issue that's on the ballot this fall to purchase so may acres of land in Johnson County over an extended period of years to protect natural areas. Jim Throgmorten discussed more directly the Cedar Rapids flooding issues and talked about long term planning and changes that could occur looking at European standards that allow building in flood prone areas utilizing construction principles that aren't affected by flooding. The last speaker was Connie Mutel very interesting talk about the history of soils and water retention and flooding in Johnson County over the last 150 years. The program is going to be shown on Channel 4 after its been produced I'll let you know if I hear of the air date. They did not provide insight to clear answers about flood mitigation at this point although it was suggested that we all start working together scientists planners, politicians, and citizens alike to understand the watershed and changing the current way we do things.

In the past year I have brought together the local entities UI Engineering, Soil and Water Conservation District, USGS, IDNR Geological Survey Bureau and City staff , Iowa River Greenbelt, local watershed coalitions to colloboraberate on all of the projects and science that are going on in our watershed. Senators Joe Bolcolm and Mary Lundbe both met with and were interested in legislative long term planning. I plan on getting this group back together this fall don't have it scheduled yet but expect the urgency to work together to be higher.

Thats about it for now.

Thanks,
Carol Sweeting
Flood Recovery
Iowa City Public Works
Public Information, Education, Volunteer Coordinator
410 E Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
Ph. 319-356-5164
Cell 319-541-2385
Fax. 319-356-5007

Project Recovery Help

A Message Regarding the Iowa Recovery and Relief Effort

Now three months after deadly tornados and disastrous flooding in Iowa, many survivors of these natural disasters are still in critical need of assistance to rebuild their lives. It is important for all of us to understand that survivors need help long after the aggressive initial recovery efforts have tapered off. Many Iowans are without permanent homes and are doubling up with friends or relatives. Others lost jobs and are dealing with financial stress. This can result in overwhelming feelings of hopelessness and loss.

We helped one another recover from the physical part of the disaster. Now we must do the same to help survivors deal with delayed stress. That’s where Project Recovery Iowa comes in.

Project Recovery Iowa

Project Recovery Iowa is a disaster mental health program that provides counseling to those affected by this year’s natural disasters. This Iowa Department of Human Services program empowers survivors, teaches coping skills, assesses immediate needs, and guides people to resources for ongoing support.

Services Provided

Telephone crisis counseling and referral assistance is free statewide. Additional in-person crisis counseling is free (supported by a federal grant) in 29 counties with the most damage and is provided in the survivor’s home, a temporary living site, or any place where the survivor feels comfortable.

Services provided include:
Individual and Group Crisis Counseling. A strength-based approach to help people access and identify resources that will aid in the recovery process.

Educational Services. On-site supportive, educational, face-to-face interventions with individuals and communities.

Referrals. In some cases, survivors may need long-term, more formal mental health services beyond immediate services. Referrals are made to an appropriate agency or licensed mental health professional or to other specific disaster services available through DHS.

Reaching Out to Survivors is Important

Governor Chet Culver has urged Iowans who need mental health services to use the Project Recovery Iowa program, a mental health program that provides free crisis counseling to Iowans affected by this year’s natural disasters.
“As Governor, I am committed to returning life to normal in those communities affected, and that is why I encourage Iowans to reach out to the Project Recovery Iowa mental health program. This free program will help those who have been affected get a sense of control back in their lives and will move us farther down the road to recovery.”
“The stress of a traumatic experience often takes weeks to surface, and we have to be mindful that children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable,” said Allen Parks, administrator of the Mental Health and Disability Services division of the Iowa Department of Human Services.

“Especially with cold weather coming soon to Iowa, it is imperative for us to reach out to Iowans needing counseling and additional resources for ongoing support.”

Call the Iowa Concern Hotline at 1-800-447-1985

The Iowa Concern Hotline is the entry point for Project Recovery Iowa services. Confidential counseling is available 24/7. Counselors can provide immediate assistance and will make referrals if needed.

More information? See “Crisis Counseling” at dhs.iowa.gov

Financial Help - Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity Financial Help

I spoke with a person on the phone and they encouraged me to apply. They have rather low income requirements to be elgible, but they may remove or bump them up depending on the number of apps received.

Here is a link: http://www.iowavalleyhabitat.org/flood.relief.cfm

You do need to call them to get an app mailed to you. Phone:319-338-5687

Water Service - Important Notice

IMPORTANT NOTICE!
HELP US HELP YOU!


Date: September 17, 2008

From: Ed Moreno, Water Division Superintendent

Re: Water Services – Parkview Terrace, Idyllwild, Taft Speedway Dr.


We are concerned that your home may not be occupied prior to cold weather and will not have heat. There is a potential for frozen pipes if the water service is left on.

If you plan on occupying your home and/or want the water service left active, please contact the Water Division Customer Service Office at 356-5160 or e-mail Jude Moss at jude-moss@iowa-city.org.

If we do not hear from you by September 26, 2008, we will assume your home will be unoccupied and we will inactivate your water service by shutting water off at the stop box outside.

Thank you for your assistance.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

NPR Storycorp focusing on the flood

From: McGuire, Steve
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 8:20 PM
To: PTV Email List
Subject: StoryCorp and PVT

Hi Bob,Can you share my email on the blog? I am hoping folks might consider participating in the NPR StoryCorp coming to Iowa city, which will be focussed on the flood. It would be terrific to have an oral record of this summer and the flood. In partnership with NPR's StoryCorps, the UI Libraries will be asking people throughout the community to share their flood stories. Documenting this historic event through a new collection is the Libraries' way of thanking the hundreds of people who helped move books out of harm's way when the Main Library was evacuated on Friday, June 13. I encourage you to participate. All you need is a good story (and we have plenty of them in the Flats) and someone to help you tell it. For more information about the project and to register to participate you can check the website http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/events/floodstories .


Best, Steve
S-Mcquire@uiowa.edu

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Porta Potties Removed from PTV

Just an FYI - The porta potties have been removed in the neighborhood.

Please let me know if this represents an inconvenience for those of you working on your house.

I think the bathrooms by the Tennis Courts in City Park may be open.

Future Flood Mitigation on November Ballot

I wanted to tell you about something that's a major concern to me - a conservation initiative on the Nov ballot, to raise money for Johnson Cty to purchase more natural area/open space lands (including> recreational lands). This is my passion - but I also think that it's vitally important in terms of future flood mitigation, and maintaining our quality of life here in many many ways. People still don't seem to> know about this initiative - so I am telling everyone I know about it - please consider voting "yes" on Nov 4 - the initiative will be on the BACK side of the ballot, so you have to look for it. Here's more info:

http://www.landwaterfuture.org/

Monday, September 8, 2008

FEMA Contact Info

FYI




I have tracked down a contact for our citizens that are struggling with the FEMA hotlines. They can contact Keri Neblett local contact for FEMA Longterm Recovery she is at the Crisis Center and can look at individuals cases as long as they have signed up and have a FEMA number assigned to them. Keri can be reached at 319-351-2726 or kneblett@jccrisiscenter.org

Thanks,


Carol Sweeting
Flood Recovery
Iowa City Public Works
Public Information, Education, Volunteer Coordinator
410 E Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
Ph. 319-356-5164
Cell 319-541-2385
Fax. 319-356-5007

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Steve Mcguire featured in Reader's Digest

Steve Mcguire featured in Reader's Digest

Steve Mcguire - Hero on the Iowa River

United Way Celebration

United Way Celebration

New City Website and Email Subscription with Buyout Updates

From: City of Iowa City [mailto:web@iowa-city.org] Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 3:07 PMTo: Carol SweetingSubject: ICgov.org Media Release: General City News
Contact: Steve Long, Comm. Develop. CoordinatorContact Phone: (319) 356-5250
New City Web Page Compiles Flood Recovery/Buyout Information
Posted by: Community Dev.
Originally Posted 9/4/2008 3:06:36 PM

In an effort to provide flood-impacted residents with updated information on flood recovery and status of the buyout process, a new web page on the City’s website is now available - www.icgov.org/buyout. This web page contains announcements, resources, City and FEMA documents, and staff contact information. Also on this new web page, residents and other interested persons can also subscribe to e-mailed news releases concerning the specific topic of flood recovery and buyouts. Call 356-5250 or buyout@iowa-city.org for additional information.(Note to Media Outlets: We encourage you to subscribe to the additional news category so your organizations continue to receive flood recovery news.)
View and edit your subscription details.
Visit our jobs page for employment opportunities.
View more news from the City of Iowa City.
Do not reply directly to this e-mail! It is produced from an automated system, and is not monitored for replies. If you have a question or comment about this information, please contact the originating department of this message, or by using our feedback form.
For technical questions regarding the website, please contact our web team.

New City Web Page Compiles Flood Recovery/Buyout Information
Posted by: Community Dev.

Originally Posted 9/4/2008 3:06:36 PM


In an effort to provide flood-impacted residents with updated information on flood recovery and status of the buyout process, a new web page on the City’s website is now available - www.icgov.org/buyout. This web page contains announcements, resources, City and FEMA documents, and staff contact information. Also on this new web page, residents and other interested persons can also subscribe to e-mailed news releases concerning the specific topic of flood recovery and buyouts. Call 356-5250 or buyout@iowa-city.org for additional information.

(Note to Media Outlets: We encourage you to subscribe to the additional news category so your organizations continue to receive flood recovery news.)


View and edit your subscription details.
Visit our jobs page for employment opportunities.
View more news from the City of Iowa City.
Do not reply directly to this e-mail! It is produced from an automated system, and is not monitored for replies. If you have a question or comment about this information, please contact the originating department of this message, or by using our feedback form.
For technical questions regarding the website, please contact our web team.

Rebuidling after the flood - tips from Katharine Nicholson

Rebuilding after the flood

We’re assuming the house was gutted. If no rebuild was planned, you may still need to pull the nails out of the studs on the surfaces that will hold dry wall. And all trash should go to the curb. Workers will need space to work, store drywall, etc.

Start a list of tasks unskilled volunteers can do. United Way is coordinating volunteers or can tell you who is. Volunteers are typically used to insulate & to paint, although some volunteers are able to drywall, etc. and do trim. Often one experienced person can instruct a group of volunteers.

Print Building Permit application off the web, www.icgov.org/site/CMSv2/File/permits/bldgprmapp.pdf - There is no fee for flood rebuilds, so it isn’t critical to answer the dollar amount questions. You don’t have to know all your subcontractors either, but may need to enter a general contractor or put the owner for that. Submit the application to the city. Any contractor not the owner must be one licensed by the city.
Next the city will send someone to inspect that the structure of the house is sound & the moisture level is down. Then they will give you a building permit. It needs to be kept on the premises.
An electrician must bring wiring up to code. City will inspect & sign off on it. Do not cover any of it up before it’s inspected – hold off on insulation & drywall if electrical wires go behind it.Plumbing must be brought up to code (Can be started before or during item 2 as long as it doesn't cover up electrical wiring that city will inspect.) This includes such things as gas service reestablished, check and repair water lines, HVAC checkout. Plumber does gas lines as well as water lines. Plumbing inspector will visit and sign off.

Now insulation can be put up on all the exterior & garage walls & covered with plastic vapor barrier. Volunteers can do this.In the garage, 5/8 inch sheetrock put up on walls for a firewall (the walls common with living portion of house) – no tape and mud needed before insulation, but is required before final inspection to move in.

***** The house is now winter ready. *****

To make it ready for occupancy we continue:It may be practical to use volunteers to do the sheet rocking and experienced volunteers for the taping, mudding and texturing. With professional drywallers the process takes about 6 days.
Hot water heater installed.Volunteers can paint.

Bathroom: It would need to be returned to prior condition. Plumber won’t install at least some of the toilet tanks, basins, etc. until drywalling is doneKitchen: Here the bare bones approach would be quickest. A small dorm room fridge would work until a larger unit could be found. A microwave and hot plate could be used until a stove unit and the oven were installed. Enough counter space and cabinet space to get a working kitchen up and going. It would be lot like a lake cottage and grow into a more presentable state over time.Living space: A sealer should be applied to the bare concrete floors. This will keep the concrete dust down and still not be a problem when the permanent floor is put down. If some rooms are to be closed off & not heated, then they need to be sheet rocked also & doors installed.The electrician returns for installation of receptacles, switches & plates. This must happen after dry wall is up and painting done.

The building inspector returns for a final occupancy inspection. He will check electrical continuity, proper use of GFI receptacles, appliance venting, smoke alarms, etc. Once he signs off the owners can move back in. It may be possible to move back in before the interior drywalling is done.Aside from furniture, owner will need a washer and dryer to make living there a lot more comfortable.A finished kitchen, flooring, paint and finished trim can be done over the winter with volunteers as budget allows. Remember to check for supplies at Habitat ReStore.

FEMA Grant Deadline

One Month Left to Apply for Disaster Assistance

DES MOINES, Iowa —The clock is ticking on eligibility for federal disaster assistance.

Iowans have one month left to register for federal and state grants to help with uninsured costs they incurred as a result of the tornadoes, floods and severe storms that affected most of the state over the summer.

The last day applications for individual assistance grants will be accepted, according to officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD), is Sept. 29.

“I encourage all Iowans who have been affected by this year’s severe weather to register for federal and state assistance,” said Gov. Chet Culver. “The individual assistance program is here to help, and although the deadline is fast approaching, there is still time for Iowans to utilize this important program.”

Sept. 29 is also the deadline to apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for a loan to cover disaster-related losses to real and personal property.

As the result of a federal disaster declaration, Iowans in 78 counties are eligible to register for federal and state aid related to the tornadoes, severe storms and floods across the state from May 25 through Aug. 13.

“You may think now that you don’t need assistance, but you may later have unexpected expenses,” said Bill Vogel, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer. “It’s definitely in your best interest to get your name in the system before the Sept. 29 deadline. because after that date, it’s too late.”

Individuals can register by telephone or online at www.fema.gov. To register by phone, call toll-free 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. These resources can also be used to ask questions about or check the status of previously filed applications and to find out about appeals.

Information about SBA programs is available by calling 800-659-2955 or online at www.sba.gov.

To date, more than 37,497 Iowans have registered for disaster assistance and more than $424.8 million in state and federal assistance has been approved.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).
Temporary housing assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does not require that an applicant file for an SBA loan. However, an applicant must complete an SBA loan application to be eligible for additional assistance under the part of the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses. There are other ONA grants such as public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses that do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan to be eligible. FEMA will process applications for housing assistance regardless of whether the applicant has applied for an SBA loan and eligibility determinations for applicants requesting FEMA’s temporary housing assistance will not be held up because the applicant has or has not filled out an SBA application.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, nationality, age, disability, English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you or someone you known has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY Call 800-462-7585.
Editors: More information about the Iowa disaster is available online at www.fema.gov or www.rio.iowa.gov.
###

AFTER THE FLOOD:VISION FOR LONG-RANGE RECOVERY

AFTER THE FLOOD:
VISION FOR LONG-RANGE RECOVERY
Focus: Measures we can begin to take to improve our environment, conserve resources, and mitigate future flooding.
September 9, 2008 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Meeting Room A - Iowa City Public Library
_____________________________________
Speaker: Nicholas Johnson (Lecturer, College of Law, University of Iowa)
Topic: A CORRIDOR GREENBELT CONCEPT
Speaker: James A.Throgmorton (Professor of Urban Regional Planning, University of Iowa)
Topic: LIVING DOWNSTREAM
Speaker: Connie Mutel (Historian, IIHR-Hydroscience and Engineering, University of Iowa, and author of the recent book "The Emerald Horizon: the History of Nature in Iowa.")
Topic: NURTURING NATURE
Sponsored by: FAIR! is a progressive voice on local issues of
importance to Johnson County residents. We work to
build a sustainable, livable, and humane community. We
value fairness, justice, equity, and open government.

Web Pictures

Check out these links - My kitchen floor, Foster Maytag and the main web page - Courtesy of Toby Hyde's brother Tim.




My Kitchen Floor - right after the flood


Foster Maytag - right after the flood


Posted on Timhyde.com