COVID-19 Information Hub

SIMPCO has compiled several links to official information to aid the community as our region responds to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Please check back for updates.

General Links:

Community Spread Prevention:

Preparing the Workplace:

Talking to your Children about COVID-19:

People at Higher-Risk and Special Populations:

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources wants to remind Iowa communities of the resouces available to their drinking water and waster systems for continued operation if their drinking water and wastewater treatment staff become ill.  The following resources are available:

Flooding

In response to the March 2019 Flooding event, SIMPCO has gathered the following resources and links to funding programs for our member counties and communities.  SIMPCO will assist members with applications as requested.  This list will be updated as information is available.

Infrastructure  Programs

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota 

  • Emergency Community Water Assistance program  – USDA grant/loan programs help eligible communities prepare, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water.  Please contact SIMPCO if interested in applying

 Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) 

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – must be a city or county to apply

  • Opportunities and Imminent Threat Program – An immediate threat must exist to health, safety or community welfare that requires immediate action. The threat must result from unforeseeable and unavoidable circumstances or events. Sufficient other local, state or federal funds (including the competitive CDBG program) either are not available or cannot be obtained within the time frame necessary to address the problem. May not have to meet Low-to-Moderate (LMI) income requirements under Urgent Need.  Please contact SIMPCO if interested in applying.
  • Water and Sewer Fund –  this program assists cities and counties with projects such as sanitary sewer system improvements, water system improvements, water and wastewater treatment facility projects, storm sewer projects related to sanitary sewer system improvements and rural water connections. The community would need to meet LMI requirements. Communities that have been flooded may apply at any time. Please contact SIMPCO if interested in applying.

Nebraska Department of Economic Development 

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – must be a city or county to apply

  • Public Works – Sewer and water systems, streets, sidewalks, fire stations & trucks, non-profit daycare centers, senior centers, community centers, libraries, tornado shelters, removal of architectural barriers, parks, and other public infrastructure. The community would need to meet LMI requirements.  Please contact SIMPCO if interested in applying.

South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development 

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – must be a city or county to apply

  • Community Projects or Imminent Threat – helps communities address an urgent, recent issue that poses a risk to the health and safety of its residents. Union County, SD communities should contact The South Eastern Council of Governments (SECOG)to apply
  • Mitigation Grant Program  – Eligible projects are from a jurisdiction that has a FEMA-approved pre-disaster mitigation plan. Applicants can include:
    • State and local governments
    • Certain private, non-profit organizations
    • Tribal governments

    Projects must be cost effective, feasible and meet environmental planning and historic preservation requirements. You do not have to wait for a disaster to submit an HPMG application. Download the application forms below to get started

Economic Development Recovery Programs

U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Disaster Recovery Funds*  

U.S. Small Business Administration*

  • Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance* – The SBA provides low-interest, long-term loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and private, non-profit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a Presidentially declared disaster.

Individual & Public Assistance 

Iowa Department of Human Services 

  • Iowa Individual Disaster Assistance Grant Program  – grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level or a maximum annual income of $41,560 for a family of three. 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. This grant program is activated when the Governor issues a disaster proclamation turning on IIAGP for the affected counties.  Please note that this program is no longer available to residents in Monona and Woodbury counties following the issuance of federal disaster declaration on March 23, 2019 by President Trump.  To avoid duplication of disaster assistance benefits, individuals and business owners in Monona and Woodbruy counties should apply directly to FEMA Disaster Assistance Program. 

*FEMA has a Disaster Recovery Center location open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday – Sat and 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Sun. At the Security Institute on Western Iowa Tech            Community College Campus, 4647 Stone Ave, Sioux City.

  • Iowa Disaster Case Management-Disaster Case Management is a program to address serious needs to overcome a disaster-related hardship, injury or adverse condition. Disaster case managers work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referral 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 Management Program, contact your local community action association or visit www.iowacommunityaction.org.
  • Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team – The Iowa Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team (DBHRT) is a trained team of volunteers who will respond to the mental health needs of Iowa residents following disasters and critical incidents. The team provides services for community providers based on local area needs and may be delivered at a disaster site in an affected community or statewide.

U.S. Department of Agriculture 

  • Single Family House Repair Loan & Grants– this provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.

Nebraska Emergency Management Agency 

  • Public Assistance – The Public Assistance Program is available to assist with reimbursement of repairs to damaged eligible facilities to include: roads, bridges, water control facilities, buildings, equipment, utilities, parks, and recreational facilities. It is also available to assist with reimbursement of emergency functions such as debris removal and emergency protective actions. This program is made available to eligible applicants including: local governments, state government, certain non-profit organizations, schools, and Native American tribal governments that are located in a designated damage area.

Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Management 

  • Report Your Damage– Residents of counties impacted by the recent severe weather are asked to report damage to help local and state officials better understand the damage sustained. Damage to property, roads, utilities, and other storm-related information may be reported. This information will be collected by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and shared with local emergency management agencies. 

 

The State is accepting Notice of Interests (NOIs) for those eligible hazard mitigation project types that will reduce or eliminate losses from future natural disasters, including but not limited to:

  • Priority #1 (category A) Property Acquisition/Elevation, electric utility hardening, detention basins, warning sirens. (See attached addendum for additional project types)
  • Priority #2 (category B) Elevate/protect wastewater lift stations, backup generators. (See attached addendum for additional project types)
  • Priority #3 (category C) Tornado Safe Rooms, small flood barriers. (See attached addendum for additional project types)

South Dakota Department of Public Safety

  • Public Assistance – Public assistance includes supplemental financial resources to state, local governments and certain non-profit organizations for response and recovery activities required as a result of a disaster.
  • Individual Assistance* – The Individual Assistance (IA) Program provides financial assistance through grants to individuals and families who sustain damage or develop serious needs due to a Providentially declared disaster.

United Way of Siouxland

  • Siouxland Recovery Fund– Nonprofits and Government that are providing direct assistance to aid people impacted by the disaster.  Communities and non-profits that serve Woodbury & Plymouth Counties in Iowa; Dakota County, Nebraska, and Union County, South Dakota are eligible to apply

Iowa Economic Development Authority

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – must be a city or county to apply

  • CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Fund– assists communities in rehabilitating owner-occupied single-family homes used as principal residences. The community would need to meet LMI requirements. Communities that have been flooded may apply at any time. Please contact SIMPCO if interested in applying.

Iowa Workforce Development 

  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)* – a program which provides temporary income to eligible individuals who have become unemployed as a result of a major disaster.   Available for residents of Monona and Woodbury counties within the SIMPCO planning area.  Visit the website or call 1-866-239-0843 for more information.

Nebraska Department of Economic Development

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – must be a city or county to apply

  • CDBG Owner Occupied Rehabilitation– assists communities in rehabilitating owner-occupied single-family homes used as principal residences. The community would need to meet LMI requirements. Please contact SIMPCO if interested in applying.

SIMPCO 

IowaHousingSearch.org  – Iowa residents who have been displaced by flooding may search for available housing

Salvation Army –  Serving Nebraska, South Dakota and Western Iowa disaster survivors through providing food and water; emergency shelter; materials, cleanup, and restoration; emotional and spiritual care.

American Red Cross– Disaster relief and recovery. Serving Cherokee, Ida, Monona, Plymouth and Woodbury Counties in Iowa; Dakota County, Nebraska and Union County, South Dakota.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)* – Federal Individual Assistance 

Disaster Assistance.gov  -The declaration by the President makes the FEMA Individual Assistance Program available to eligible homeowners, renters and businesses regardless of income.  In the SIMPCO planning area for Iowa, Monona and Woodbury counties have been included in the Presidential Disaster Declaration.  However, if you have been impacted by the recent flooding and you don’t live in one of those counties, you are encouraged to register anyway.   To apply go online: disasterassistance.gov 

You’ll need the following to complete your registration:

  • Social Security Number (SSN), or, the SSN of a minor child in the household who is a U.S. Citizen, Non-Citizen National or Qualified Alien.
  • Annual Household Income
  • Contact Information (phone number, mailing address, and damaged home address)
  • Insurance Information (coverage, insurance company name, etc.)
  • Bank Account Information (if you are eligible to receive financial assistance, the money can be deposited in your account)

If you need further information or assistance:

Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362).  TTY users can call 1-800-462-7585. Helpline services are available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

If you are having technical issues, call FEMA’s Internet Help Desk at 1-800-745-0243. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To learn more, review the Individuals and Households Program Unified Guidance . This provides policy and eligibility information for all assistance under the Individuals and Households Program (IHP). Visit the Individual Disaster Assistance page for more details. You may also view Disasters by calendar year or find other agency support by disaster.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)* – Federal Public Assistance

Under the Federal Public Assistance Program, FEMA awards grants to assist state and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations.  Eligible counties in Iowa within the SIMPCO planning area are Woodbury, Plymouth, Cherokee, Ida, and Monona counties. Eligible counties in Nebraska within the SIMPCO planning area: Dakota

* assistance/funding available in the event of a Presidential disaster declaration 

Additional Resources 

Iowa.gov – Disasters Recovery Resources. Flood hotline 2-2-1. Call with questions or concerns about the flooding and steps to take.

Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Management – Current information on flooding and resources in Iowa.

Nebraska.Gov AND Nebraska Emergency Management Agency    Nebraska Flood Resources

ISU Extension and Outreach Disaster Recovery Resources for Flooding

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach resources on disaster recovery from flooding. Among resources are single page fact sheets, booklets, and pamphlets.

The national clearinghouse for disaster materials is housed at Louisiana State University through the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN).

Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR)  –  information on debris management, flood monitoring, flood recovery and rebuilding after a flood.  

Nebraska DNR –  information on debris management, flood monitoring, flood recovery and rebuilding after a flood.

Flood Resources for Nebraska Public Agencies –  In light of the continuing historic flooding across Nebraska, NE LTAP has accumulated some resources which can be of immediate use to local public agencies. As the major flooding event continues to unfold, local officials have a primary responsibility in managing emergency events. This portal will continue to be updated with resources, contacts, and information to help manage the disaster.

Nebraska Department of Agriculture– NDA will be concentrating efforts to assist ranch families and their livestock. 

Nebraska Extension – Flood Resources.

South Dakota Department of Public Safety –  information and resources for emergency management

Siouxland District Health Department –  SDHD has compiled many resources to help inform people how to protect their families and their properties during the flooding.

Woodbury County,  Iowa – Flood Recovery

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) –  Flood information and resources  

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) –  Flood information and resources