Community Resources in a Disaster

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Image credit:
Nina Strehl

Click on city and county resources links to find information on cooling shelters, food and shelter resources.

City Resources

County Resources

Community Action Agencies

A network of 17 community action agencies offer assistance, such as food delivery initiatives, clothing, diapers, and addressing emergency and disaster needs. Find a community action agency near you at https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/iowas-community-action-agencies. For the Linn County area, visit Hawkeye Community Action Agency at https://www.hacap.org/.

Derecho Legal Hotline

Victims of the August 10, 2020 derecho in Linn County who are experiencing legal problems due to the storm now have an easy way to get free legal advice. Legal problems may include issues such as: FEMA denials, problems with insurance, landlord/tenant issues, unemployment benefits denials, employment issues, contractor issues, or identity theft. Call 1-877-469-2259 during the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Multi-lingual Hotline

A multi-lingual hotline is available statewide for Iowans who need resources. Call the 211 Language Help Line 1-877-558-2609.

How to verify if contractors are licensed in Iowa

Any general contractor doing work locally is required to be licensed and registered through the State of Iowa. Cedar Rapids and Marion have created ways to help verify if your contractor is able to work in Iowa. Visit medcoiowa.org/disasterrecovery or call the Cedar Rapids Building Services Department at 319-286-5929, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

What you need to know about permits for repair, demolition work

Call before digging: The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) reminds anyone whose restoration efforts involve digging to call 811 or visit the Iowa One Call website for information on scheduling a utility locate before beginning a project.

How to report price gouging to Iowa AG

If consumers see what they believe to be price gouging, they can call the Iowa attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-888-777-4590, email consumer@ag.iowa.gov or file an online complaint.

Project ReConnect helps restore power to homes with damaged electrical connections

Project ReConnect has been formed in partnership with the Alliant Energy Foundation, United Way of East Central Iowa (UWECI), HACAP, and the Local Labor Management Cooperation Committee (LLMCC) to bring electricity to Alliant Energy customers still without power because of storm-damaged equipment on their homes.

The program will help Alliant Energy customers reconnect personally-owned exterior electrical systems, including the meter box, service mast and weatherhead, to restore power to their homes at no cost. Alliant Energy customers responsible for their own utilities and need financial assistance to pay for these repairs are encouraged to contact HACAP to apply. Income guidelines apply to those approved.

To receive assistance through Project ReConnect, customers can contact HACAP at 319-739-0056.