Thank you to Marlene Jessop and Francoise Gourronc for much of the following information:
FEMA Information:
DISASTER ASSISTANCE INFORMATION
Homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes, as well as private non-profit organizations affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding beginning May 25, can get the application process started. The toll-free number is open 24 hours, and online registration is available.
To apply by phone call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362)
(TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired) Or apply online at www.fema.gov
IMPORTANT: Please have the following information available when you call:
• A phone number and a reliable alternate in case we need to call you back
• Address of the damaged property
• Brief description of damages
• Social Security number
• Insurance information (if you have insurance)
• Current mailing address
• Bank Account Information (if you are eligible for disaster assistance, you may choose to have the assistance check deposited directly into your bank account)
Government disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate you for your entire loss. If you have insurance, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered under your insurance policy. Some disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other assistance may come in the form of loans.
For information on the process, or to register online, visit http://www.fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm
A Few Ways to Give:
New Pioneer Co-op is now accepting monetary donations to be routed to the Red Cross’ flood relief efforts. To make a contribution, visit any check-out lane at the Iowa City and Coralville locations.
The University of Iowa has also established a Flood Relief Fund. Visit http://www.givetoiowa.org/floodfund to lend your support. As the UI President Sally Mason explains,
“Gifts of all sizes are needed and appreciated, and our first priority is to assist UI students and employees who have been displaced from their homes by the flooding. After addressing these most immediate human concerns, we will use contributions to the fund (as available) at my discretion to address other areas of flood-related need throughout the campus.”
Go to www.corridorrecovery.org to find more opportunities for contributing to flood relief efforts.
Disease Prevention:
Health departments, health professionals, and the general public are making health inquiries about recent storms and flooding. The purpose of this web page is to highlight some precautions during flooding. Links and resources listed contain a variety of health and enviromental precautions. For any additional questions contact the Iowa Department of Public Health at 515-281-7689
The following links will provide you with additional information:
Additional Resources:
For more information:
· Call 1-800-362-2736
· Environmental Health Concerns contact (515) 281-0921
For International Students:
Assistance in Flood Recovery. OISS is preparing information on resources that can assist international students who have had a loss from the flood. While students here as nonimmigrants (F-1 and J-1) do not qualify for US or State government assistance unless they have US citizen children, other agencies will have assistance available. As soon as we can obtain accurate, complete information we will distribute this via our listserve and put the details on our website. We will also have some limited funds available through the OISS Emergency Fund, and are developing procedures for students who need to apply for this assistance. Please do not contact us about Emergency Funds applications until we announce the process; we will give everyone sufficient time to apply and be considered.
Several groups, both on campus and off campus, have volunteered time and effort to assist students in any way needed—taking you to the store, moving items, cleaning up, or even just watching your children while you take care of necessary business. We are waiting to confirm contact information for these groups and we will send that out in a future message (probably tomorrow) and post this on our website. These are honest, open, and generous offers to help so please contact these volunteers for any type of help; nothing will be too little or big to assist with.
There may be University resources available to all students and that information will be distributed as it is received.
Class Resumption, Withdrawals and Immigration. Summer session classes will resume this coming Monday and all students will be able to complete this term. Classes may be moved—check ISIS to see if that is the case with your schedule. Provost Lopes has announced the continuation of classes and processes for withdrawal should students wish to do so. This is on the web at http://uiflood.blogspot.com/2008/06/interim-provost-lopes-issues-statement.html. Should you choose to withdraw, if you were enrolled in spring 2008 at UI you are not under an immigration obligation for enrollment and thus can withdraw without an immigration problem. If you are new to UI this summer, immigration law does require you to be enrolled, but we have contacted the Department of Homeland Security to request a waiver of that requirement and expect to have an approval given. Students who are new this summer and who plan to withdraw must see an OISS advisor before withdrawing.
Contact Information. Until we reopen, you can contact Scott King via our emergency number, 319-384-2229. When we reopen on Monday, we will have extended advising hours from 9 am to 12 noon and 1 to 4 pm.
International students who are here in F-1 or J-1 status cannot receive assistance from FEMA, unless they have a US citizen child. But assistant is available through private sources. The Crisis Center is providing significant financial support to cover those people and circumstances that FEMA does not cover. Applicants must make an appointment to see a counselor, and right now there is a two week wait for an appointment, which can be made at 351-0140. We will have more information on resources that will be available next week.
Several groups have come forward to volunteer assistance to students and scholars who need help with such things as transportation, cleaning, moving, etc. COGS can be reached at cogs@cogs.org, mark-salisbury@uiowa.edu, or 337-5074; Grace Community Church of North Liberty is offering assistance, call them at 626-2040. Other groups that have volunteered include the Graduate Student Senate, OASIS, and UI Ambassadors. The volunteer groups are meeting this coming Monday at 1 pm in the International Commons next to OISS offices. Anyone who would like to join this meeting to help coordinate efforts is invited to attend.
OISS will reopen Monday with extended advising hours of 9-12 noon and 1-4 pm.
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