Flooding Resources
State Agency 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
- USDA Emergency Farm Loans
- 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).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Am I required to notify the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship about flood-related livestock mortalities?
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.
Q: Floodwater damaged grain that was stored in my bin. Will insurance cover my losses?
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.
Q: What should I do with my stored grain that came into contact with floodwater?
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.
Q: Who should I contact if I need hay to feed my livestock, or I would like to donate hay to a producer in need?
Please contact your local Emergency Management Coordinator to determine how you can receive or assist with livestock relief efforts.