Official State of Iowa Website

Disaster Assistance

  About DNR   >   Social Media / Press Room   >   Disaster Assistance
Flooding in Burlinton, Iowa in 2008

DNR's Role in Disaster Response and Recovery

The DNR provides expertise, resources and assistance during natural disasters that impact Iowa, such as floods and tornadoes. This page provides links for important information related to Iowa disaster response.

DNR's focus is to protect Iowa's natural resources - clean air, land and water and a diverse wildlife and natural environment. Following a disaster the DNR will work with the local community and other partner agencies to begin clean-up. If a community's water or waste water infrastructure is damaged, the DNR will work with them to determine the impact, plan for immediate community needs, and plan to repair or rebuild infrastructure. Debris collection sites, tree and brush burn sites and solid waste collection sites will be established with DNR assistance.

Are you prepared for the tornadoes and flooding spring and summer often brings? Each of the tabs below have information on preparing for, responding to, and recovery from common Iowa weather.

The best way to RESPOND to a disaster is to PREPARE for it.


News Releases

 More DNR News Releases >>

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) partners with  federal, state and local agencies to assist animal feeding operations, drinking water and wastewater facilities, solid waste facilities and our industrial partners.

Documents of general interest are listed below:

Links to State Agency Partners:

Links to Federal Agency Partners:

Floods can occur in many areas of Iowa not just along small streams, rivers and lakes. A blocked storm sewer can cause waters to rise and create unsafe driving conditions. This tab contains information specific to flood related disasters. 

Additional information relating to debris disposal, asbestos requirements, and health and safety during flood recovery is contained in the General Information tab.

To report tanks, drums or other containers found in flood debris use the form below.

Flood Resources

Flood Monitoring and Response:

Flood Recovery:

Rebuilding After a Flood:

  • Flood Plain Assistance or 1-866-849-0321 - Assistance and approval information for the repair, maintenance and construction of flood damaged homes in a flood plain.
  • SRF and Flood Repair - Information on restructuring existing State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans, using SRF loans as match for FEMA funds, using SRF funds as short-term loans to be repaid with FEMA grants, and using SRF loans to pay for repairs.

Links to Federal Agency Information (FEMA, EPA, and CDC):

Droughts not only impact crops, parks, and lawns they can also impact a community's ability to fight fires and provide drinking water.  Information about droughts and response to drought conditions are discussed on this tab.  General information about responding to and recovery from disasters is located in under the General tab.

The Water Summary Update site has resources to assist communities during drought conditions. It contains the Water Summary Update Report and the State of Iowa Drought Plan. The Water Summary Update is a graphical overview of the status of Iowa’s water resources and supplies. The site also has links to drought resources for our partners.

State Agency Resources:     

Weather Forecast Information:

Water Resource Information:

Links to Federal Agency Information (FEMA, EPA, and CDC): 

Tornados and wind storms can be devastating to individuals and communities.  This tab provides information about protecting yourself during a tornado/wind storm and information about recovering from a tornado/wind storm. Information on dealing with the debris left behind after a tornado/wind storm can be found in the general disaster tab.

Protecting Yourself from a Tornado:

Recovering from a Tornado:

Links to Federal Agency Information (FEMA, EPA, and CDC):

 

Winter storms can impact Iowans from October through April and include: blizzards, heavy snow events, and ice storms.  This tab provides information on preparing for, protection during and recovering from winter storms.

Winter Storm Protective Measures:

Travel Resources:

State Health Partner:

Links to Federal Agency Information (FEMA, EPA, and CDC):

The Iowa DNR partners with producers and local, state, and federal agencies to plan for foreign animal disease outbreaks.  When an outbreak occurs in Iowa the impact can be felt locally, nationally and internationally. The Iowa DNR develops plans to reduce impacts to wildlife, properly dispose of carcasses and protect Iowa’s natural resources during a response to an outbreak.  

 

Key Partner Agencies:

General Foreign Animal Disease Outbreak Information for Producers

Wildlife Field Safety

Disease Links

Chronic Wasting Disease

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD)