Flood Resources

Flood Resources For Both Consumers and Businesses 

Like many other organizations, we have been closely monitoring the flood situation and relying on our local leaders and government agencies to help keep everyone informed and share resources as quickly as possible.

What should I do if my business has been financially impacted by the flood?

Resources that are available & what you need. 

• Dedicated Support Team: Our team is available to answer your questions and provide guidance. Whether you need help navigating your accounts, accessing funds, or understanding your options, we are here to assist you.

• Community Resources: We are collaborating with local organizations to offer additional support services, including temporary business locations, counseling, and recovery planning. We encourage you to take advantage of these resources to help stabilize and rebuild your business.

  1. The regional Small Business Development Center is located within the Spencer Campus of Iowa Lakes Community College at 1900 Grand Ave., Spencer, IA. The office can be reached at 712-580-8619.

  2. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

     1. Online applications can be filed at www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance.  

  3. The Iowa Lakes Corridor has great resources for your business at: Disaster Relief (lakescorridor.com)

  4. Follow these media outlets for further updates as well: The City’s Facebook page, KICD and More 104.9 radio, and the Spencer Daily Reporters Facebook page.

  5. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: Resources like natural disaster hazards, finance & Insurance, Data & Technology and Health Hazards

  6. Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services: Flood disaster resources, post-disaster claims guide, etc

If you need to speak with a specific banker at a specific time, we recommend you call and make an appointment, so they can block out that time for you. 

Consumers: What should I do if I’ve been financially impacted by the flood? 

• We are working with our customers one-on-one to address their specific needs. If you are being affected by the flood, please contact us so we can work with you directly on a solution that best fits your needs.
• Many of you may be filling out the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Association) assistance form, which can be found either by calling 800-621-3362, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week or by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov. (You can click on the link or type it into your browser window).
• Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services: Flood disaster resources, post-diaster claims guide, etc

FEMA is also located at: (They have moved to the City Hall building on 5th Street)

• *REMINDER: The deadline to file a NEW FEMA case for the June flood disaster in Clay County is August 23rd. Appeals will be ongoing through the DRC, also available at 1-800-621-3362, the FEMA app and online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ - see more information on the City of Spencer's website: https://spenceriowacity.com/ 

How do I open an account after hours or can't make it to the bank? 

We offer online account opening that is fast, easy and secure with our online application. Check out our accounts and click to Open Online!

I have questions about my account! How do I get help with that? 

If you have questions about your personal or business banking account, or your mortgage, our team is available during normal business hours at 800-249-3340 or 712-262-3340 or through our chat feature in Online and Mobile Banking to help. 

How do I manage my account without visiting the bank? 

With our ATM, Online and Mobile banking, you can seamlessly perform all the necessary tasks from the convenience and safety of your home/car.

How do I access my safe deposit box?

• Stop in or call the bank 712-262-3340 or 800-249-3340.

Three steps homeowners should take after a natural disaster

• Talk to a housing counselor at no cost to you by calling 1-855-HERE2HELP
• Contact your insurance company
• Contact your mortgage loan servicer

Disaster Recovery Temporary Housing Program (DRTHP) (added July 17, 2024)

For those who are displaced due to the flooding, DRTHP's goal is to provide temporary sheltering options for eligible disaster survivors as they pursue long-term housing solutions. 

The number to call is 833-307-6030. 

More Info & How to Apply    

Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance Program (added July 15, 2024)

Governor Kim Reynolds announced in a recent press conference that there would be assistance for homeowners affected by the recent flooding. Below are the details and link to learn more. 

• The Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance Program will provide financial assistance to eligible homeowners affected by recent natural disasters, helping them to expediate repairs to their homes.
• Eligible homes must be located in a county approved for federal Individual Assistance following the three presidentially declared natural disasters this spring and summer. These counties currently include Adair, Adams, Buena Vista, Cedar, Cherokee, Clarke, Clay, Emmet, Harrison, Jasper, Lyon, Mills, Montgomery, O’Brien, Plymouth, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Sioux, Union and Woodbury.

Application Window

• Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until funds have been exhausted.
• Applications will be reviewed and approved on a first submitted, first ready to proceed basis.
• Incomplete application submissions may be offered a reasonable timeframe to cure those deficiencies.

Eligible Assistance

• Maximum award $50,000 for repair or rehabilitation of the eligible disaster-affected home
• Assistance provided in the form of a forgivable loan, forgiven monthly over five years and secured by a recorded retention agreement. If the homeowner sells the home or the home ceases to be the homeowner’s primary residence before the end of the five-year retention period, the homeowner will be required to repay the remaining loan balance upon the sale of their home.

Applicants are required to complete the eligibility pre-check screening below prior to accessing the full application. It's important to note that the submission of an application does not ensure approval of financial assistance.  Access the pre-check form by clicking 1st Step Pre-Check Form below. 

More Info   1st Step Pre-Check Form

REALTORS® Relief Grants Available for Flood, Storm Victims

Affected Iowans can apply for up to $2,500 in housing relief.

• Assistance is available to qualified applicants as one of the following options:

  •              Monthly mortgage expense for the primary residence that was damaged during the severe storms and flooding on June 12 and 21. If a mortgage is paid off, submit proof for the primary residence [i.e property tax bill] to receive a portion of the grant.

  •              Rental cost due to displacement from the primary residence resulting from the severe storms and flooding on June 12 and 21.

  •              Reimbursement for hotel lodging required due to displacement from primary residence as a result of severe storms and flooding on June 12 and 21. Reimbursement only covers hotel room and tax costs.

  All grants are contingent upon the availability of funds. As a result, aid will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applications close on Wednesday, August 28 2024. 

Learn More   

Disaster Recovery Farm Interest Program

Below is information from IowaGrants.Gov that local farmers can apply for. The deadline to apply is September 30. The award is up to $50,000. 

• The Disaster Recovery Farm Interest Program (DRFIP) provides financial assistance to agricultural asset owners and producers who are recovering from property damage and losses caused by recent severe weather events. DRFIP will reimburse one year of interest paid on Eligible Loans executed or amended after the earliest incident date of the federal disaster declaration for the county where the damage occurred.

More details can be found here: 

Learn More   

How can I protect myself against fraud or scams? 

• Protect your personal and financial information. Understand that some people may take advantage of victims of the flood by using fraudulent websites, phone calls, emails, and text messages claiming to offer “help” but may be trying to trick people into providing Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and other valuable details. Do not divulge your bank or credit card numbers or other personal information over the phone unless you initiated the conversation with the other party and you know that it is a reputable organization.  
• Do NOT click on any links in text messages that are claiming to help. 
• Change of address: If you need to change your address please use the United States Post Office website or stop in to make any address changes. The USPS Online cost is $1.10. (NOTE: Please beware of other websites that want to charge you more than $1.10 - these may be scams).
• Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services - 10 tips to protect yourself from fraud/scammers.

Additional Resources

• Follow these media outlets for further updates as well: The City’s Facebook page, KICD and More 104.9 radio, and the Spencer Daily Reporters Facebook page.
• Iowa Insurance Division: Flood Disaster Resources and post-disaster resources

At Farmers Bank, our goal is to continue helping our customers quickly and efficiently during the flood disaster. 

We encourage you to check back here often for the latest updates.