DISASTER RESPONSE RESOURCES:
Weather Outlook
The National Weather Service offers a reliable and up to date system for tracking current weather conditions and outlooks for the coming months.
Local weather information regarding watches and warnings, current conditions, radar and satellite images, observations, forecast graphics, rives and lakes, climate and fire weather.
Situational Awareness Tools
Flood
The Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS) provides easy access to flood conditions, flood forecasts, interactive visualizations, and flood-related data and information.
The Iowa Flood Center inundation maps for Cedar Rapids, Charles City, Hills, Iowa City, Des Moines and Waterloo were calculated using the 2D open channel flow model, and integrated to Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS).
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Flood Monitor
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers River Gages
Snowfall
The National Resources Conservation Service provides an up to date network of stations that collect snowpack and related climatic data in the Western United States and Alaska. The SNOWTEL system is in place to help communities determine the amount of water supply that can be expected in the upcoming months.
Drought
The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) provides current drought conditions, how the drought could be affecting you, and if the drought will continue. A great resource for forecasting, impacts, planning, education and recovery based on current and predicted drought conditions.
The National Weather Service Drought Monitoring provides current information regarding drought conditions.
The State Fire Marshal Office maintains a list of Iowa counties under Open Burning Bans.
U.S. Drought Monitor
Shelters
American Red Cross offers a secure, easy-to-use online tool to help families to connect in an emergency. Individuals can register for Safe & Well at https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php.
Live shelter availability is available from the American Red Cross.
Donations During Disasters
The National Donations Management Network is a FEMA supported system that is managed by The Aidmatrix Foundation. Donations needed in Iowa by the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters are listed on Aidmatrix and partners can respond to those needs by clicking here.
Financial Contributions Are Preferred
Cash donations help to avoid the labor and expense of sorting, packing, transporting and distributing donated goods, and relief agencies can use cash to meet survivors' specific needs more quickly.
Donate through an Experienced Disaster Relief Organization
Relief agencies prefer the versatility of cash donations; however, some have the infrastructure in place to store and distribute donated goods. To prevent waste, donations of goods should be made only to agencies that have requested specific items.
Confirm the Need before Collecting
Donors should be wary of anyone who claims that "everything is needed." Many groups have been disappointed that their efforts and the goods they collected were not appreciated. A community hit by a disaster, however, does not have the time, manpower or money to dispose of unneeded donations. Get precise information and confirm the need before collecting any donated goods.
Volunteers During Disasters
Both during and after a disaster, people naturally want to help and will flock from all over to assist their neighbors, friends, and even complete strangers. A good volunteer management plan should be in place to mobilize these unaffiliated/spontaneous volunteers. Good volunteer organization and coordination is done best at the local level. However, there are resources that can help you develop a plan and respond in times when local efforts and resources are exhausted.
The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service is the state agency responsible for coordinating unaffiliated volunteers statewide during times of disaster in responding to requests for assistance by emergency management officials and directing pre-registered disaster volunteers to local volunteer reception centers.
Please register at https://volunteer.truist.com/icovs/volunteer/register/ to receive updates and information on any volunteer opportunities as they are identified.
Safeguard Iowa Partnership encourages individuals to volunteer and be trained with a recognized, nonprofit organization involved in disaster response and recovery prior to the next disaster event. There are many organizations and faith-based groups in your community that have active disaster programs and need volunteers.
