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Pott. County EMA requests severe weather damage reports

News, Weather

December 16th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

[COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA] – Emergency Management officials in Pottawattamie County today (Thursday) confirmed one tornado touchdown from yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) storms along the I-80 corridor between Council Bluffs and Neola. They will be working today to validate a likely second tornado that occurred in eastern Pottawattamie County and a swath of likely straight-line wind damages in southcentral Pottawattamie County.

The Agency is requesting assistance from the public to help confirm the severity of the events that occurred. Residents or businesses that have experience property damages related to the storm should report them on the EMA’s website at https://pcema-ia.org/. Damage assessments help officials validate and justify any potential assistance programs for those that may have unmet needs and it also contributes to the data needed to support a statewide disaster declaration if the impacts require federal recovery assistance for individuals and local governments.

Pottawattamie County EMA has submitted a request to the Governor’s Office for activation of the Iowa Individual Assistance Program and Disaster Case Management Programs to assist low-income families in their recovery. If approved, more information will be provide through local media, social media, and the emergency management website. The damage assessment survey is an easy to use online interface from any device and also allows you to submit pictures of your damage to help in the overall recovery process.