In response to the damage and uncertainty caused by the derecho storm, the City of Hiawatha has compiled a list of resources to answer questions and put the public in touch with organizations providing assistance.
Text & Email https://hiawatha-iowa.com/alert-signup/
Website https://www.hiawatha-iowa.com/news/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HiawathaIowa
Registered contractors within the City of Hiawatha - https://www.hiawatha-iowa.com/news/contractor-list/
Hiawatha is compiling a list of volunteers and a list of people who need help. If you’d like to be added to these lists please call City Hall at 319-393-1515.
Additionally, the United Way of East Central Iowa, along with Linn Area Partners in Disaster, have established a volunteer reception center. Individuals are encouraged to sign up to help one of three ways:
United Way 211 is working and can connect you to resources. To reach 211, dial 211 on any phone, text your zip code to 899211, or visit 211iowa.org.
The City of Hiawatha Public Works Department has begun picking up branches and debris throughout the City. Branches need to be cut into 12 feet lengths or less. Branches and brush must be separated from other storm debris. Debris can be placed between the curb and sidewalk within the right-of-way. Due to the amount of damage throughout the city it is optimistically estimating to take 2-3 weeks to complete curbside pick-up. More than one pass will need to be made. For convenience and to aid in the clean-up process, locations are currently set up for Hiawatha residents and businesses to drop off storm debris-Tree/Brush only. Please follow all signage posted at these locations to dispose of branches and brush. No other storm debris will be accepted at these locations at this time.
These services are being provided to Hiawatha residents and businesses only. If you have any questions, please call City Hall at 319-393-1515 or email rjasa@hiawatha-iowa.com
The food waste disposal site is no longer available.
Call your hauler to see what is allowed to be included in your weekly pickup.
City Wide pickup of other debris as a direct reflection of the derecho will be picked up at another time. Sign up for alerts to be notified when this will begin.
Please note, clean up could take weeks to months and city crews will make several passes through the community. Tree debris is a priority at this time.
Do not place debris near fire hydrants.
Water quality has not been disrupted and remains safe to drink. Contact the Water Department at 319-393-5556 with questions or concerns.
Find food pantries through http://www.hiawatha-iowa.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/HACAP-Food-Pantry.pdf
Households who currently receive Food Assistance may request replacement of food destroyed as a result of the recent storm damage, or spoilage as a result of a power outage. As a general rule, food will keep 4 hours if stored in a refrigerator, 24 to 48 hours if stored in a freezer. Households have until September 17, 2020 to complete the form requesting replacement of food loss.
Beginning August 24 through September 21, 2020 Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) and Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) recipients will be able to use their Food Assistance benefits to purchase hot foods Linn County. Ordinarily excluded from eligibility, this waiver allows foods such as deli counter items, prepared pizza, and other hot meals may be purchased at participating retailers. Find participating retailers here.
Effective immediately, the burning or incineration of any yard waste, tree stumps, tree limbs, or any storm debris is hereby prohibited. This prohibition shall not apply to outdoor cooking using charcoal, dry firewood, natural or propane gas as a fuel. Citizens can still use dried firewood in a fire pit to cook food for the period of time necessary to prepare the food, but then should extinguish it. Charcoal and propane grills may still be used by single-family homeowners. Charcoal and propane grills larger than a one-pound cylinder have always been prohibited above ground level in multi-family dwellings and will continue to be prohibited. To obtain current air quality standings, visit https://monitoring.linncleanair.org/
If you were affected by the August 10 severe storms and are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance. Assistance provided by FEMA for homeowners can include grants for repairs to make their primary home habitable. Rental assistance is available to pay for temporary housing for homeowners and renters. Financial assistance is available for necessary expenses and serious needs directly caused by the disaster, including: child-care expenses, medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial expenses, damages to essential household items, clothing, tools required for your job, necessary educational materials, fuel for the primary heat source, clean-up items, damage to essential vehicle, moving and storage expenses caused by the disaster and/or other expenses or serious needs as determined by FEMA.
Before you apply have this information available:
Housing inspections may be conducted remotely by trained inspectors. Different methods of validation will be used to help make determinations, including:
Once your application is submitted, be sure to keep your confirmation number for your records.
IIAGP offers grants to families whose household’s annual income is at 200% or less of the federal poverty level. Each qualifying household MAY receive up to $5,000.00. The IIAGP is activated when the Governor issues a disaster proclamation turning on IIAGP for the affected counties. Please note - if a presidential disaster declaration for Individual Assistance is issued for a county for the same event, the state program is automatically canceled for that county, as the federal program then goes into effect. The federal program does not have an income restriction.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance - https://www.hiawatha-iowa.com/news/linn-county-eligible-to-apply-for-disaster-unemployment-assistance/
Red Cross Immediate Assistance Program - http://www.hiawatha-iowa.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Red-Cross-Flyer.jpg
Disaster Case Management is a time limited resource and process that involves a partnership between a disaster case manager and a household impacted by a disaster to develop and carry out a Disaster Recovery Plan. This partnership provides the client with a single point of contact to facilitate access to a broad range of resources, promoting sustainable assistance for individual’s and a household’s recovery. These services are client focused, and provided in a manner consistent with standards for trauma-informed practice in human services. 319-739-0056
For 24/7 disaster crisis counseling, call Iowa Concern Hotline at 800-447-1985 Daily from 5-10 PM non-crisis and confidential listening, call Iowa Warm Line at 1-844-775-9276
https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/fema_iowa-state-local-referrals_2020.pdf
