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2024

Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

Page last updated: 10/08/2025

On this Page:

Overview Important Deadlines FEMA Assistance Safety and Shelter Resources Legal Assistance News & Information

Overview

Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (DR-4784)

A stormfront brought a line of severe storms across the state of Iowa, some of which spawned tornadoes and caused flooding, from May 20th to May 21st, 2024. On May 24th, 2024, President Biden declared a major disaster.

People in the following counties are eligible to receive federal disaster assistance:

  • Adair
  • Adams*
  • Cedar*
  • Jasper*
  • Montgomery
  • Polk
  • Story

*Adams, Cedar, and Jasper counties were added on June 24, 2024.

For the complete FEMA press release, please click here.

Important Deadlines

FEMA Application Deadline

Extended to Friday, August 23, 2024

More Info

Appeal your FEMA decision letter

Within 60 days of the date on the determination letter.

Apply for Disaster Unemployment

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

More Info

FEMA Assistance

Applications for FEMA Assistance can be submitted by:

Phone: Contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY users can call 1-800-462-7585.

Online: Fill out the application at DisasterAssistance.gov

In-Person: You can also fill out the application at a FEMA Disaster Resource Center (DRC).

Mobile Registration Intake Center: MRICs move around regularly. They will be in an area for a short period of time to help survivors who need registration help. Visit FEMA’s Disaster Declaration page to find more information about the Mobile Registration Intake Center locations and hours.

Disaster Recovery Center: To find a Disaster Recovery Center near you, use the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s DRC locator or text “DRC” and your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA) to locate a Disaster Recovery Center in your area.

What to Expect After You Apply for FEMA Assistance

Created by FEMA, this handout provides a basic overview what to expect after you have applied for assistance.
also available in:
Español
FEMA Fact Sheet: Returning to In- Home Inspections

As of June 1, 2022, FEMA reinstituted verification of disaster-caused losses through in-person home inspections. Multiple virtual methods were used to inspect survivor homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Disaster survivors’ health and safety remain FEMA’s priority so the agency will retain the ability to conduct inspections without entering the home.

This link will take you to FEMA’s fact sheet on in- home inspections.

Safety and Shelter Resources

Please check your local news and local officials for the latest safety and shelter resources.

Access information on Safety and Shelter assistance through the resources below.

American Red Cross Disaster Relief & Recovery Services

Explore resources from the American Red Cross on how to stay safe and recover from a disaster.

Website
Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) Locator

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are accessible facilities and mobile offices you can visit to learn more about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs. You may also visit to ask questions about your case. The DRC Locator helps you find the hours, services, and locations of DRCs near you.

Website
American Red Cross Shelter Locator

If an emergency has forced you to evacuate your home, the Red Cross may be able to help. All Red Cross shelters are free, open to everyone, accessible to people with disabilities, and accepting of service animals. 

Website
Disaster and Disability Hotline

The Disability & Disaster Hotline, run by the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, offers help to people with disabilities and their families during emergencies. The hotline provides information, referrals, guidance, technical assistance and other resources for those impacted by disasters. Whether you’re a person with a disability, a family member, an organization assisting people with disabilities, or anyone else with pressing disaster-related needs, the hotline can connect you to support.

The Disaster Hotline is always available for intake calls, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The link below will take you to the Partnership’s disaster hotline landing page.

Organization

A free legal help hotline is now available for survivors of the Iowa tornadoes and severe storms that passed through the state on May 20-21. Survivors can call the Iowa Legal Aid disaster relief hotline at 866-761-4692, weekdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Callers can leave a voicemail message that will be returned by legal aid workers.

For more information, please see the full press release here.

Introducing: Disaster Legal Services

The American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division has teamed up with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to create Disaster Legal Services (DLS) — a program designed to help survivors navigate the aftermath of presidentially- declared disasters. The DLS program provides immediate temporary legal assistance to disaster survivors—at no charge.

Issues where DLS can help include:

  • Insurance Claims
  • New Wills
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Other Legal Papers Lost During the Disaster
  • Problems with Landlords
  • FEMA Appeals
  • Home Repair Contracts and Contractor Fraud

Learn more through this short video.

Video
ABA YLD Disaster Legal Services Hotline

(888) 743-5749

To help meet the growing legal needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division has teamed up with RingCentral Inc. to create a national hotline to connect the Disaster Legal Services Program (DLS) with those seeking civil legal services.

Organization
Iowa State Bar Association

(515) 243-3179

625 East Court Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309

Professional association of lawyers.

Organization
Iowa Legal Aid

(800) 532-1275

1111 Ninth Street
Suite 230
Des Moines, IA 50314

Provides free civil legal services to low-income people.

Organization

News & Information