Rebuild Iowa Office
Flood Forums
Throughout August and September 2009, the Rebuild Iowa Office held Flood Forums in areas of the state primarily affected by the 2008 floods. Each Flood Forum offered an opportunity for Iowans to find out more about programs they may be eligible for, as well as how to protect themselves and their property during and after disasters.
Federal and state agency representatives met with local recovery partners in Cedar Rapids, Wapello and Mason City to remind Iowans about the help that is available to those recovering from the 2008 storms and flooding. The success of the three Flood Forums led to the Rebuild Iowa Office hosting a fourth forum which was broadcast to additional flood-affected communities (including Johnston, Elkader, Iowa City, Vinton and Waterloo) via Iowa Communications Network (ICN) classrooms.
Flood Forums included presentations focusing on available assistance to flood-affected residents, flood insurance basics and statewide and local updates on recovery efforts. Presentations featured representatives from the Rebuild Iowa Office, local Councils of Governments, local Long-Term Recovery Committees, the Iowa Finance Authority, the Iowa Department of Economic Development, the Small Business Administration, Iowa Workforce Development and FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, among others.
Representatives from various local, state and federal agencies working in Iowa’s recovery were also available to talk one-on-one with visitors and answer questions about assistance programs.
For More Information
Floodsmart.gov - Click here to visit the official Web site of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and get all your flood insurance questions answered.
Get in touch with a case advocate - Click here to learn more about Disaster Recovery Case Management and find the Long-Term Recovery Committee near you.
Disaster Assistance Programs and Information - Click here to view all current disaster assistance programs for individuals, businesses, landlords and communities including the following:
- Jumpstart Assistance Program
- Rental Rehabilitation Assistance Program
Iowa Unmet Needs Disaster Grant Program - Click here for more information about the Iowa Unmet Needs Disaster Grant Program.
Small Business Assistance - Click here for more information about Small Business Assistance programs.
- Business Rental Assistance Program
- Click here for more information about Small Business Development Centers.
Ticket to Hope counseling program - Click here for more information about counseling services for disaster-affected individuals.
Emergency Public Jobs Program - Click here for more information about the Iowa Workforce Development's Emergency Public Jobs (EPJ) Program.
Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance - The Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance has now posted the Historic Architectural Resources surveys produced by Iowa Homeland Security. These reports are required for any federally-funded program activity and outline resources that are considered historic. These historic resources are eligible to access several financial incentive programs at the state, county and federal levels.
- Click here to view the reports.
- Click here for more information about the State Historic Rehabilitation Income Tax Credit program.
Iowa Center on Sustainable Communities - Center On Sustainable Communities (COSC) is the recognized leader in providing education and connecting resources that empower individuals and communities to make everyday decisions that promote sustainability, resulting in a better quality of life for all Iowans.
Iowa Credit Union Foundation - The Rebuild Iowa Individual Development Account (IDA) is a matched savings initiative designed to build long-term partnerships between Iowa credit unions and disaster-impacted individuals and families.
Contact the Rebuild Iowa Office - If you have a specific question related to the disasters of 2008, click here and the Rebuild Iowa Office will put you in contact with the individual or agency who can help answer it.