Governor Reynolds has declared a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to assist Clay County. To apply, please call 800-621-3362, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week or by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov.
HOUSING: If you are a resident of Clay County and will be needing temporary housing – you can apply for housing through the State of Iowa’s Disaster Recovery Temporary Housing Program. Disaster Recovery Temporary Housing Program (DRTHP) | Iowa.gov
SPENCER COMMUNITY DISTRIBUTION CENTER: New location with Upper Des Moines Opportunity is at 223 West 7th Street. This is available for anyone needing assistance, including food, water, clothing, cleaning supplies, baby food, etc. People can also donate items at the Distribution Center.
RECOVER RESOURCE HUB: The City of Spencer has built a webpage with the latest information on recover and rebuild efforts. CLICK HERE to view.
FEMA:
FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center is located in the Tower Gate Pavillion at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Spencer. This location will open Tuesday, July 2nd from 1-6pm; then 8am-6pm every day, until further notice. Residents can go to the Events Center shelter to register with FEMA. The library also has computers and internet that are available to use to register online. You can also apply for assistance by calling 800-621-3362, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week or by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov.
Remember, all FEMA representatives will have a badge. If they do not have a FEMA badge, they are not with FEMA. They will also be canvasing the community as more staff arrives in the area.
DONATE TO FLOOD RECOVERY: If you would like to donate to “Flood Recovery in Clay County” – click on one of the links below. All funds will be utilized for victims locally in Clay County.
Clay County Community Foundation
Disaster Recovery
Spencer Chamber
Foundation
Volunteer Sign Up Information: If you are able to volunteer, please register by emailing spencervolunteers@gmail.com or by calling 712-363-1021. All volunteers will fill out a simple waiver form and be oriented on how to safely & thoroughly clean out homes, etc.
Power update: Due to safety concerns, if your power has not been restored and you are ready to have it restored, please call a City of Spencer licensed electrician. In accordance with city, state, and national codes, your electrician will request an inspection and contact the city for residential inspections or the state for commercial properties.
IF YOU SMELL GAS, OR EVIDENCE OF IT, GET OUT OF THE HOME IMMEDIATELY AND CALL 911. 888 call center number also avail for non-immediate emergency needs.
Electrical Re-Energizing Update:
For commercial properties without power, please contact your electrician to coordinate with the state
electrical inspector. Residential properties now have two options:
1) Have an electrician review your property and get a city inspection for fast approval before submitting to SMU, or
2) Complete a waiver form to request power re-establishment without a safety review. Waiver forms are available at City Hall or online at https://spenceriowa.seamlessdocs.com/f/bmq6qi3qghvu.
Black Hills Energy Natural Gas Service Restoration Update:
Black Hills Energy technicians are working to restore natural gas service. Customers may see door tags indicating eligibility for service restoration. Technicians will have Black Hills Energy identification, branded hard hats, and clothing.
To restore gas service, power and water must be restored, and appliances inspected by a licensed professional, and the space cleared of water and debris. Do not remove the pink flags in your yard, as they help track meters needing repairs. Removing the flags will delay the restoration process.
When pumping out basements follow these FEMA Guide lines.
Although the flood waters have receded, water still in the ground outside your house may be pushing hard against the outside of your basement walls. The water in the basement is pushing back. If basements are drained faster than the water on the outside is draining, the outside pressure will be greater than the inside pressure and may cause the foundation, basement walls or floor to crack or rupture.
We recommend the following procedures be followed when pumping basements to avoid serious damage, collapse or injury to occupants:
- Begin pumping when floodwaters are no longer covering the ground outside.
- Pump out 1 foot of water. Mark the water level and wait overnight.
- Check the water level the next day. If the level went back up (covered your mark) it is still too early to drain your basement.
- Wait 24 hours, and then pump the water down 1 foot again. Check the level the next day.
- When the water in the basement stops returning to your mark, pump out two to 3 feet and wait overnight.
- Repeat daily until all the water is out of the basement.
It is understandable that people are anxious to return home and begin the cleanup but we urge caution, as the expense of rebuilding collapsed walls could be more than the cost of cleanup from the flood.
