Iowa flood forum slated next week

DES MOINES – Victims of Iowa's 2008 flood disaster will be offered more information next week about available government programs and protective measures, state officials said Wednesday.

The Rebuild Iowa Office will host a flood forum on Sept. 16 to provide Iowa residents affected by last year's floods an opportunity to find out more about programs for which they may be eligible as well as how to protect themselves and their property during and after disasters.

The forum, which is free and open to the public, will be broadcast from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. via the Iowa Communications Network (ICN). It will originate from Camp Dodge in Johnston be broadcast to sites in Elkader, Iowa City, Waterloo and Vinton.

Included in the presentations will be information on assistance that is available to flood-affected residents, flood insurance basics, and updates on recovery efforts.

“We want to make sure every Iowan knows what's available because resources and funding still remain accessible to those impacted by the 2008 disasters,” said Lt. General Ron Dardis, RIO's executive director.

Speakers slated for the event include representatives from the Rebuild Iowa Office, Iowa Finance Authority, the state departments of economic development and workforce development, and the National Flood Insurance Program.

The ICN forum is modeled after three previous flood forums held in August and early September in Cedar Rapids, Wapello and Mason City, RIO officials said. Residents and officials from other Iowa communities affected by the 2008 disasters requested flood forums as well, and RIO officials decided the best way to reach additional communities was through the ICN network.

“Even more than a year after the 2008 disasters, there are still people who need assistance with items such as home repair, housing needs and replacement of their basic household necessities,” said Tina Potthoff, RIO communications director. “Some people are not even aware that there may be an available program that can easily assist them.”

Along with the Camp Dodge origination point, other ICN sites for the forum are the Keystone Area Education Agency I at1400 Second St. NW in Elkader; the Iowa City Public Library at 123 South Linn St. in Iowa City; the Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School at 212 W. 15th St. in Vinton; and Waterloo East High School at 214 High St. in Waterloo.