O'Brien Co. OK'd for FEMA Individual Assistance

O'Brien County on July 5 was approved for FEMA Individual Assistance, paving the way for those affected by flooding to seek federal financial help in their recovery efforts.

O'Brien County Emergency Management Coordinator Jared Johnson said the approval was due to the large amount of damage data and information reported to FEMA by local residents. The county was not originally eligible for individual assistance following the June floods, which destroyed property across the region.

"This disaster has impacted thousands of people in the northwest Iowa area," he said. "This approval is a major step to help with recovery."

Several Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) Teams are in the area going door to door this week. FEMA staff will have a FEMA ID on a lanyard around their neck. Homeowners are encouraged to ask to see the ID.

Several options exist to apply for assistance:

• Call FEMA's hotline at (800) 621-3362

• Visit http://www.disasterassistance.gov

• Download the FEMA App

• Go to one of the open Disaster Recovery Centers at the city park in Rock Valley, Clay County Regional Event Center in Spencer, or in Rock Rapids and Emmet County.

Once your application is submitted, a FEMA inspector will reach out to you within 10 days to inspect damage. The claim will then be turned over to a FEMA case manager to determine assistance.

Obtaining new flood insurance is not a requirement for all recipients of FEMA Individual Assistance. In an interview with KICD News, FEMA spokesperson John Mills said only property owners in areas classified as a high-risk flood zone will have a flood insurance requirement. Money can be returned within 30 days if recipients with the requirement want to avoid it, he said.

Other counties eligible for individual assistance include Clay, Buena Vista, Sioux, Cherokee, Lyon, Emmet and Plymouth.