Washington, DC (Northwest Iowa Now) — Typical FEMA rules require victims of natural disasters to apply for assistance within 60 days of its occurrence. This Friday was to have been the deadline for residents of Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, O’Brien, Osceola, and Palo Alto Counties, but FEMA has extended the application deadline for two additional months to October 23rd. Officials, however, still advise individuals affected to apply as soon as possible.
Applications can be made online, on the phone, or in person. The Temporary FEMA centers in Northwest Iowa are now open 8am until 6pm Monday through Saturdays and closed on Sundays.
They are located at the Spencer and Sheldon city halls, St. Patrick’s Church gym in Estherville, Dickinson County Expo building in Spirit Lake, Municipal Pool office in Sioux Rapids, and Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville. You need not go to the Disaster Recovery Center located in your county.