FEMA assistance available to residents of 36 Iowa counties, including Johnson

Residents in 36 Iowa counties are now eligible for federal Individual Assistance programs offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Anyone in those counties who suffered damage from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding beginning May 25 and continuing, can register with FEMA either online or by phone.

As of June 19, the Iowa counties eligible for federal Individual Assistance include Adams, Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clayton, Crawford, Delaware, Des Moines, Fayette, Floyd, Fremont, Hardin, Harrison, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Louisa, Mahaska, Marion, Mills, Monona, Muscatine, Page, Polk, Story, Tama, Union, Warren, and Winneshiek.

Homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and non-profit organizations can register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with speech or hearing impairments, or they can register online anytime at the FEMA site. The toll-free telephone numbers are operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

By registering, applicants can be considered for assistance from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious, necessary disaster-related expenses such as damaged personal property, medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest loans from the SBA also are available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Residents are encouraged to register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA does not duplicate insurance payments or pay deductibles, but applicants may be eligible for assistance with serious, necessary expenses not covered by insurance. Those who find themselves under-insured may be reconsidered after claims have been settled.

Registration with FEMA is required separately from registration with any other disaster relief organizations. When registering, applicants should provide current contact information, insurance information, a brief description of damage sustained as well as the specific location of damaged property.

Additional information on disaster assistance programs can be found online at:

• Disaster assistance available from FEMA

• Disaster loans available from the Small Business Administration

• Disaster assistance available from other organizations and agencies

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.