Iowans affected by historic flooding along the Missouri River need help.
With towns evacuated and water treatment plants inundated, local agencies are providing basic needs to hundreds of residents while western Iowa waits for water to recede. Once that happens, historic damage to crops, livestock and infrastructure is expected to be unveiled.
After touring flooding in Mills County on Monday morning, Gov. Kim Reynolds said she was “unprepared for the level of damage” she saw — and has declared disasters in 41 counties.
Here are several verified ways to help flooding victims:
Donate
Mills County Flood Fund: Donations to the Mills County Flood Fund, established by Mills County Emergency Management, will go directly to flood victims. The Mills County Public Health agency will facilitate distributing the funds to individual in need, rather than infrastructure.
Donations can be made online at the Omaha Community Foundation website. Choose the “Southwest Iowa Funds” and “Mills County Flood Fund” options.
Donors can also mail a check to the Mills County Community Foundation, 3555 Farnam St., Suite 222, Omaha, NE, 68131. The Mills County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Omaha Community Foundation.
American Red Cross: Local American Red Cross employees are operating shelters for displaced Iowans and Nebraskans. Iowa shelters are located in:
- Council Bluffs, Iowa (Salem United Methodist Church)
- Glenwood, Iowa (Calvary Baptist Church)
- Missouri Valley, Iowa (Rand Community Center)
Donations to the Red Cross can be made online by selecting “I want to Support Disaster Relief.” Checks can be mailed to the American Red Cross, 2912 S. 80th Ave., Omaha, NE, 68124.
United Way: Donations to the United Way’s Iowa and Nebraska flood relief fund will meet emergency shelter, food and other needs.
Donations to the relief fund can be made online, and donors can specify the city they’d like their money to reach. Alternatively, text FLOODRELIEF to 41444.