ABI Stands Ready to Support Those Impacted by Floods

ABI staff have been monitoring the record breaking floods in West and Northwest Iowa resulting from the torrential rainfall. Our hearts go out to every individual and business impacted. We understand that this is not a situation where recovery will be quick or easy, but we want to do all we can to assist those in need. 

ABI has been in close contact with state officials who are coordinating state and federal assistance to the impacted areas and will do our best to keep you updated as more assistance becomes available. We wanted to provide you with some information that may help support your team members during this time.

Governor Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster proclamation for 27 counties in Iowa. Those counties include Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Floyd, Fremont, Hancock, Harrison, Humboldt, Kossuth, Lyon, Mills, Monona, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Pottawattamie, Sioux, Webster, Winnebago, Woodbury, Worth, and Wright.

What does this mean for you and your employees? 

State resources can be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program.

Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program:

• Provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level.
• Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses.
• Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery.
• Grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website here.

Disaster Case Advocacy Program:

• Addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions.
• Disaster case advocates work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referrals to obtain a service or resource.
• There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor's proclamation.
• For information on the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, contact your local community action agency or visit iowacommunityaction.org.

The Governor's disaster proclamation also: 

• Temporarily suspends the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 321.449 pertaining to hours of service for disaster repair crews and drivers delivering goods and services while responding to disaster sites during the duration of this disaster, subject to conditions listed in Iowa Code § 321.449. 
• Temporarily suspends regulatory provisions of the Iowa Code that pertain to procurement of goods and services, hours of service for disaster repair crews, and various requirements for the transportation of loads related to disaster repairs.  

Our thoughts are with all who have been impacted. We are here to help support you and your business in this time. Please contact us directly at 1-800-383-4224 if we can help answer any questions or connect you with other members or state agencies.