(Radio Iowa) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has opened a Disaster Recovery Center in Greenfield, where at least 150 homes were heavily damaged or destroyed in last week’s tornado. FEMA spokesman John Mills spoke with Radio Iowa from the center, which is located in Greenfield’s City Hall.

“It opened at 1 p.m. on Sunday and people were waiting in the lobby,” Mills says. “We’ve had a steady stream of people coming in. They’re sitting down with FEMA and going through the application process for federal assistance.” Mills visited with some of the people who were at the site Sunday.

“Many of them are covered by insurance. I did meet some folks who did not have any insurance at all,” Mills said. “We’re going to work with people on a case by case basis, to help them get some assistance.” Tuesday’s tornado cut a mile long path through Greenfield, plus a spin-off tornado struck other areas of Adair County. Mills says 14 FEMA staffers are going door to door, canvasing neighborhoods in Greenfield and going to other locations where storm victims are getting help.

“For example, FEMA has a team set up at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Greenfield, which is being used by a variety of non-profit organizations to provide free hot meals,” Mills says. “FEMA was invited by local emergency management to set up a table in the parking lot, so we’re also meeting survivors there and helping them register for assistance at that location.” Mills says FEMA is part of a large team of organizations working to provide help to Greenfield residents who need it.

FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center in Greenfield will be open every day of the week, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice. That includes today — Memorial Day. FEMA opened two Disaster Recovery Centers in Minden and Harlan LAST week to help residents affected by the severe weather that struck April 26th. Those FEMA sites in Pottawattamie and Shelby Counties will be closed today (Monday) but will reopen tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.