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Disaster Response Resources

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

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 Ames, Cedar Rapids, Charles City, Des Moines, Iowa City, Mason City, Ottumwa, Spencer and Waterloo/Cedar Falls were calculated using the 2D open channel flow model, and integrated to Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS).
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Flood Outlook
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers River Gages

Iowa Flood Statewide Flood Mapping Project: In partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Iowa Flood Center (IFC) is completing draft flood hazard products for the 85 Iowa counties that were declared Presidential Disaster Areas following the 2008 floods. The flood hazard products will delineate boundaries of flooded areas for the 1-percent annual chance (100-year) and 0.2-percent annual chance (500-year) flood.
DRAFT FLOOD HAZARD PRODUCTS
The work is being completed and made available to the public in sequence. When completed, the draft flood hazard products will be available by county via an online Google Maps-based interface.

Important Note: While some of the products created may be adopted by FEMA and become regulatory, maps provided at the Iowa Flood Maps link are not regulatory maps. The products are being provided on this site for informational purposes. Iowans interested in map information for flood insurance purposes should visit the FEMA Map Service Center or contact local officials to view the current regulatory map for their jurisdiction.

USGS Flood Inundation Mapper combines the flood inundation map libraries with real-time USGS river-level data and National Weather Service flood forecasts into a powerful tool that helps communicate when and where it may flood and allows for better tools to inform local responses that can protect lives and property. Learn more about how to use the Mapper with this information sheet.
USGS Current Stream Flow
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 to help families to reconnect in an emergency or following a disaster. Details on their website at https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/contact-and-locate-loved-ones.html

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.

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.