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FEMA official has flood disaster advice, observations

A Federal Emergency Management Agency official says disaster relief efforts are underway in Nebraska and Iowa.  Mike Cappannari tells Brownfield FEMA helps coordinate the many resources and agencies that actually provide the aid, and for farmers and agribusinesses, much of that help will come through two agencies. “The USDA is really the subject matter expert when it comes to agriculture or potential assistance that’s available there. For businesses that have had impacts, as a result, they can register through SBA, the Small Business Administration.”

So far, Iowa has five primary counties and Nebraska has nine primary counties where direct federal assistance is offered, but Cappannari says more might be added. “It’s just a matter of us, meaning FEMA and our partners at the state, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, working to validate the additional damages that are coming in, and we are working tirelessly to do that.”

Cappannari says the best way to help the victims of record flooding is with financial donations, “to allow for the maximum amount of flexibility for voluntary organizations to decide where to best allocate those resources.”

Cappannari tells Brownfield several volunteer groups are helping the flood victims, but he says neighbors are helping each other. “The amount of neighbors helping neighbors has just been amazing to watch. It’s certainly something that makes you feel good to see people helping each other out and the way that they have, and just sticking together.”

The University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center is also serving as a collection site for donated hay and fencing supplies.

Overall, 61 Iowa counties and 74 Nebraska counties already quality for some form of assistance.  Cappannari says people can check the state’s emergency management website or start at “disaster assistance-dot-gov.”  Help can also be found by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362).