COUNCIL BLUFFS – Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Director Doug Reed, Tuesday night, said the Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment Team comprised of officials with the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency completed assessments of impacted properties throughout the county, Tuesday.

Pott. County EMA

Their assessments focused on a representative sampling of the damages to residential properties resulting from recent flooding. Reed said “We had approximately 260 properties we know had some level of damage based on our local preliminary damage assessments and reports provided by residents.”

He added, “We were able to work with our partners from Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management and FEMA today (Tuesday) validating that data by examining approximately 25-30 percent of our known damages.” Officials agree that based on the event and historical trends that there are likely many more properties with impacts that were not reported as of yet. Some properties in affected areas are still not accessible due to remaining floodwaters or dangerous road conditions.

State and federal officials will now examine all the data that has been collected and FEMA will then determine whether Pottawattamie County residents will be added to the existing Individual Assistance Program authorized by President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration for the Midwestern flooding that has devastated the region. Local officials hope to have confirmation over the next couple of days.

Reed concluded with, “It’s important for everyone, even if minimally impacted, to always report their damages when requested by emergency management. Providing the entire scope of impact helps us paint the picture for officials in determining our inclusion into assistance programs. Individuals may not be in a position where they need assistance but your information is critical in getting that help to those that do.”