Submitted by Jarod Johnson
O’Brien County EMA Director
There are multiple FEMA representatives in our area. The Disaster Survivor Assistance teams have been in the Hartley area throughout this week. The DSA teams will be moving over the Sheldon area next.
Below is information over the SBA program. Homeowners that have been affected can also try to apply for an SBA low interest loan if they need additional financial assistance to help with repair work.
How to Apply with FEMA (Deadline to apply: August 23, 2024)

SBA will provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants at Disaster Recovery Centers. Additional information is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.
IRS announces relief for taxpayers affected by tornadoes, wind, storms
The IRS has announced that Iowans affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred April 26-27, May 20-21 and June 16 have until this fall to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in the covered disaster areas and applies filing and payment relief. Residents in Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Emmet, Lyon, O’Brien, Plymouth and Sioux counties have until Nov. 15 to file. Residents in Clarke, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby and Union counties. Have until Oct. 15 to file. Residents in Adair, Montgomery, Polk, and Story have until Nov. 1.
Affected taxpayers who reside or have a business located outside the covered disaster area should call the IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227 to request this tax relief. Taxpayers in a federally declared disaster area have the option of claiming disaster-related casualty losses on their federal income tax return for either the year in which the event occurred, or the prior year. For more info visit: IRS announces tax relief for taxpayers impacted by severe storms and tornadoes in Iowa | Internal Revenue Service.
D-SNAP Program
Assistance Available
Did you experience a flood related expense or need food? D-SNAP may be able to help. Visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/dsnap for all eligible counties and information.
Income guidelines apply
Applications will be accepted July 15-19,2024, and can be completed by phone and in-person.
Cherokee County location:
Cherokee Mental Health Institute
1251 W. Cedar Loop
Cherokee, IA 51012
Phone: 877-828-5648
Monday, July 15: 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 16: 9:00 a.m. – 6:000 p.m.
Wednesday, July 17: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 18: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday, July 19: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Visit DisasterAssistance.gov

Call FEMA directly at 800-621-FEMA (3362) Call FEMA directly at 800-621-FEMA (3362) Open Sunday – Saturday 7a.m.-11 p.m. ET.

Download and use the FEMA app
FEMA works with each household on a case-by-case basis. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. For an accessible video on three ways to apply for FEMA assistance, visit: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI
State Disaster Recovery New Housing Grant Program
Governor Reynolds has announced a $10 million State Disaster New Housing Grant Program that will provide financial assistance for the development of for sale and rental housing in cities impacted by the disasters in counties Adair, Adams, Buena Vista, Cedar, Cherokee, Clarke, Clay, Emmet, Harrison, Jasper, Lyon, Mills, Montgomery, O’Brien, Plymouth, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Sioux, Union and Woodbury.* Additional counties may be added. A map of counties, including those approved for FEMA Individual Assistance, as required for this program, is available. Link to program: https://www.iowaeda.com/disaster-recovery/new-housing-2024/ Disaster Recovery Farm Interest Program (DRFIP) The Disaster Recovery Farm Interest Program (DRFIP) provides financial assistance to agricultural asset owners and producers who are recovering from property damage and losses caused by recent severe weather events. DRFIP will reimburse one year of interest paid on eligible loans executed or amended after the date of the Presidential disaster declaration for the county where the damage occurred. Eligible applicants must own a farm or operate a farming operation located in an Iowa county approved for federal Individual Assistance following the three presidentially declared natural disasters this spring and summer. These counties currently include Adair, Adams, Buena Vista, Cedar, Cherokee, Clarke, Clay, Emmet, Harrison, Jasper, Lyon, Mills, Montgomery, O’Brien, Plymouth, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Sioux, Union and Woodbury. *Additional counties may be added. A map of counties, including those approved for FEMA Individual Assistance, as required for this program, is available.
Link to program: https://www.iowafinance.com/disaster-recovery-farm-interest-program-drfip/
U.S. Small Business Administration provides personal help, loans (https://lending.sba.gov/)
The Small Business Administration offers low-interest loans after a disaster to help businesses of all sizes, non-profit organizations and individual households. Representatives of businesses of all sizes, non-profit organizations and individual households are welcome to visit SBA Business Recovery Centers here:
SBA facts

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize disaster damage from occurring in the future.

Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.

Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.