Resources for Individuals, Businesses and Farmers after a Natural Disaster
State and Local Resources
Homeland Security and Emergency Management
- Iowa Individual Assistance Program
- Iowa Disaster Case Advocacy Program
- Crisis Counseling
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance
A full list of resources and details are available at https://homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/disasters/individual-disaster-assista….
For a list of your local county coordinators, visit homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/county-em/.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
For Disaster Recovery educational resources including Flood, Drought, and Severe Weather, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/disasterrecovery.
For emotional support and resources on stress, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/farmstress.
*Some state programs activated by the Governor’s disaster proclamation will automatically end upon Presidential Disaster Declaration.
United States Department of Agriculture Disaster Assistance Programs
USDA Farm Service Agency
- Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP)
- Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP)
- Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)
- Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
- Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Emergency Haying and Grazing
- Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP)
Additional Resources
Rural Development Disaster Tool Kit
Iowa Disaster Fact Sheet
Contact your local USDA Service Center as more resources, programs and assistance may be available.
Details are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program or contact your local FSA office.
Farm Rescue Foundation
For farmers who need planting or livestock feeding assistance, visit farmrescue.org/apply or contact:
Ben Smith, Field Operations Manager
ben@farmrescue.org, 515-901-8316 (cell)
Terry Johnston, Development Officer
terry@farmrescue.org, 515-601-2891 (cell)
Federal Resources – Activated by Presidential Disaster Declaration
Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance Program
- Provides disaster-affected homeowners, renters and businesses access to services to maximize recovery.
- Assists with housing, personal property replacement, medical expenses and legal services.
- Details are available at www.fema.gov/assistance/individual.
U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Program
- Provides homeowners, renters, businesses and most nonprofit organizations in the affected counties whose property was damaged or destroyed, the ability to apply for low-interest disaster loans.
- Details are available at www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance.
Flooding Resources
State Agency Flooding Resources
Management of flooded grain and hay, including disposal, fact sheet (DNR & IDALS)
Management of flooded grain and hay, including disposal (2024 ISU article)
Flooding and Stored Grain, including damaged structure concerns, factsheet (ISU)
Management considerations for soils post-flooding
To apply for assistance to recover from recent flooding, visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362
Iowa Concern Hotline: As Iowans deal with this devastation, stress can take a toll. To find help regarding stress, disaster recovery, or legal education, call the toll-free hotline at 1-800-447-1985.
Road updates: For information about interstate and state highway road closures you may dial 511 or obtain information online.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources disaster assistance information
Farm debris, waste and disposal fact sheet (DNR)
Iowa Insurance information: If Iowans have questions or concerns regarding their insurance coverage, they can contact the Iowa Insurance Division at 515-281-5705.
To volunteer with livestock relief, contact your local Emergency Response Coordinator.
Federal Agency Resources
Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool for federal assistance.
Guidelines for evaluating the safety of flood-affected food crops for human consumption (FDA)
Farmers.gov recovery resources
List of county USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices
Livestock Indemnity Program Fact Sheet (USDA FSA)
For crops that were not insured but were destroyed by a natural disaster (USDA FSA)
Protecting livestock during a disaster (USDA APHIS)
Emergency Conservation Program Fact Sheet: ECP can provide some cost-share assistance to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters. It also can provide cost-share assistance to help restore fences damaged or lost due to natural disasters (USDA FSA).
No, Iowa law only requires producers to notify the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship about illnesses and mortalities caused by reportable animal diseases.
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) to financially assist producers who lose livestock due to adverse weather. Producers must notify their county FSA office of losses within 30 days. Contact your local FSA office for more information.
If you need assistance with carcass disposal, you can contact your local DNR field office or local Emergency Management Coordinator.
Many crop and flood insurance policies do not cover the grain stored in the bin. You should contact your insurance agent to discuss the coverage offered under your insurance policy.
Under the current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) policy, grain inundated by the uncontrolled river or stream water is considered adulterated. This grain should be destroyed, never blended. Iowa State University Extension created a fact sheet to provide guidance.
Please contact your local Emergency Management Coordinator to determine how you can receive or assist with livestock relief efforts.