Recovery center in Story County opening for residents seeking aid after tornado, severe storms
A disaster recovery center will be open for four days in Story County for residents recovering from severe storms, tornadoes and flooding this spring.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing the center from 1 to 7 p.m. June 22 and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 23-25. The center will be located at the Story County Administration Building in Nevada.
Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help victims complete or check the status of their applications.
Story County was hit by a major storm May 21, including an EF2 tornado near Nevada. The storm flattened houses and other structures along its path toward Zearing.
County residents affected by the tornado became eligible for disaster assistance when President Joe Biden signed a major disaster declaration May 24.
Disaster recovery centers also will be provided in from 1 to 7 p.m. June 22 and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 23-25 at Willow Lake Nature Center in Harrison County and from 1 to 7 p.m. June 21 and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 22-24 at United Baptist Presbyterian Church in Ringgold County.
Funding available after spring storms
FEMA funding is available to homeowners and renters in Adair, Montgomery, Polk and Story counties affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred May 20-31. Residents in Clarke, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby and Union counties affected by April 26 and 27 tornadoes and storms may receive FEMA funding as well.
Following the disaster proclamation, residents can apply for FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program. The program provides disaster-affected homeowners, renters and businesses with programs and services to maximize recovery. This includes assistance with housing, personal property replacement, medical expenses and legal services.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by calling 800-621-3362. The helpline operates from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by tornadoes may be able to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration. Additionally, small businesses, agricultural cooperatives and private, nonprofit organizations impacted by the severe weather may be eligible to apply for working capital loans.
Applications and more information can be found on the SBA's website.
May tornado leaves elongated damage path
The May 21 tornado first touched down around 4:30 p.m. near Johnston, carving a path more than 1,000 yards wide with peak winds of 135 mph.
The storm caused damage at Johnston High School, where classes were canceled the following day, then struck properties in Cambridge and Nevada.
Story County Emergency Management said two people were injured.
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Story County storm victims can get help at Nevada recovery center
