Between 300 and 700 homes damaged along Lake Delhi

Between 300 and 700 homes along Lake Delhi sustained flood damage this weekend, estimates Jack Klaus, a spokesman for Delaware County Emergency Management.

A number of residences are weekend or vacation cabins and, as such, likely will not qualify for assistance from the federal government.

Gov. Chet Culver and other state officials, traveling throughout Delaware and Buchanan counties on Sunday, said they will investigate the possibility of low-interest loans to those who lost their homes and cabins.

Meanwhile, Delaware County Emergency Management was advising flood victims to take pictures of flood damage and document their situation by making notes. They should call their insurance agents, too.

Delaware County Emergency Management is asking those with flood damage to e-mail this information to macc@manchesteriuowa.org: name, address, phone number and five or six words damages. Put “Flood Damage” in the subject line.

Delaware County Emergency Management Director Mike Ryan will be compiling a list of damaged properties to be used in talks with FEMA and other assistance programs.

Ryan said program rules have changed so even if property owners have been through flooding before, they should file information so they can be contacted and possibly qualify for assistance.

Also, public health officials advised those in flooded areas not to drink or cook with well water and to use bottled water. They also should use insect repellent to guard against mosquitoes that could be carrying the West Nile virus.