Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

Did you know drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1 to 4 years old? Drowning is preventable. Be safe around water when outside this summer with swimming safety tips from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/prevention/index.html

Over the last few weeks, team members across Iowa HHS have been collaborating with Iowa communities, other state agencies and local partners on flood recovery and response.

There is lots of great work being done at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) as well as teams onsite aiding with clean up and staffing Disaster SNAP locations.

Thank you to all our HHS team members for their tireless efforts serving and supporting Iowans affected by flooding across the state, we appreciate you!

July is Parks and Recreation Month. Visit the Iowa DNR website for a full list of state parks and get out and discover the beauty of Iowa!

https://www.iowadnr.gov/places-to-go/state-parks/iowa-state-parks?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3a6qS4PhN3lRVbn8bezDbLUUG8yJ9DO06-h5Jelg3URzhg9oTdfn1NIUg_aem_K0QMaPPDPsbbd7d99NY4Hw

RAGBRAI is one of the largest events in Iowa, & it kicks off this weekend.

Make a plan before you start pedaling across Iowa. Know how you’ll contact one another & reconnect if separated. Pack plenty of sunscreen, fluids, & snacks.

Sign up for Alert Iowa here: Alert.Iowa.gov

Want to avoid the busy biking route? ragbrai.com/maps

Middle school is a time where social circles are changing and important to kids. Did you know middle school is when bullying happens most? During and back to school around the corner, learn the signs of bullying, prevention tips, and how to handle if your child experiences or contributes to bullying here:

https://www.stopbullying.gov/prevention/middle-school

Attention to those that live or work in Buena Vista, Cherokee, O'Brien and Woodbury counties - if you had a flood related expense or need food, you may qualify for D-SNAP.
Visit our website for additional information: https://hhs.iowa.gov

Assistance Available for Buena Vista, Cherokee, O’Brien and Woodbury Counties

Did you experience a flood related expense or need food? D-SNAP may be able to help.

*Income guidelines apply*

Applications will be accepted July 15-19,2024, and can be completed by phone and in-person.

Visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/dsnap to find all application information and in-person sites.

Phone: 877-828-5648

Monday, July 15: 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 16: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 17: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 18: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday, July 19: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
________________________________________________________
Asistencia disponible
¿Tuvo que hacer gastos relacionados con la inundación o necesitó alimentos? Es posible que D-SNAP pueda ayudarlo. Visite hhs.iowa.gov/dsnap para obtener toda la información relativa a los condados elegibles.

*Es posible que se apliquen pautas de ingreso*

El plazo de admisión de solicitudes es del 15 al 19 de julio de 2024, y pueden presentarse por teléfono o en persona.

Condados de Buena Vista, Cherokee, O’Brien y Woodbury:

Teléfono: 877-828-5648

Lunes, 15 de julio: de 1:00 p.m. a 6:00 p.m.
Martes, 16 de julio: de 9:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m.
Miércoles, 17 de julio: de 9:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m.
Jueves, 18 de julio: de 9:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m.
Viernes, 19 de julio: de 9:00 a.m. a 4:00 p.m.

Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Did you lose power with Monday's storms in Iowa?

Stay safe by keeping generators at least 20 feet away from your home, keeping refrigerators closed, and turning off electronics to avoid damage from surges.

Ready.gov/power-outages

Assistance Available for Buena Vista, Cherokee, O’Brien and Woodbury Counties

Did you experience a flood related expense or need food? D-SNAP may be able to help.

*Income guidelines apply*

Applications will be accepted July 15-19,2024, and can be completed by phone and in-person.

Visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/dsnap to find all application information and in-person sites.

Phone: 877-828-5648

Monday, July 15: 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 16: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 17: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 18: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday, July 19: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
________________________________________________________
Asistencia disponible
¿Tuvo que hacer gastos relacionados con la inundación o necesitó alimentos? Es posible que D-SNAP pueda ayudarlo. Visite hhs.iowa.gov/dsnap para obtener toda la información relativa a los condados elegibles.

*Es posible que se apliquen pautas de ingreso*

El plazo de admisión de solicitudes es del 15 al 19 de julio de 2024, y pueden presentarse por teléfono o en persona.

Condados de Buena Vista, Cherokee, O’Brien y Woodbury:

Teléfono: 877-828-5648

Lunes, 15 de julio: de 1:00 p.m. a 6:00 p.m.
Martes, 16 de julio: de 9:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m.
Miércoles, 17 de julio: de 9:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m.
Jueves, 18 de julio: de 9:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m.
Viernes, 19 de julio: de 9:00 a.m. a 4:00 p.m.

Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Stay safe in the sun! Any time you’re outside this summer, make sure to protect yourself from the harmful UV rays from the sun. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen, sunglasses and appropriate clothing when outside for a long period of time.

Visit https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/sun-safety/index.html for tips about sun protection.

Approximately 238,290 Iowans are food insecure, which is when people don’t have enough to eat or don’t know where their next meal will come from.

Reducing barriers to affordable, nutritious foods is one of the key goals in Iowa’s 2023-2027 State Health Improvement Plan.

https://go.iowa.gov/tyYC

Stay safe from the heat:
🏠Stay indoors or find a cooling center
💨Have proper air flow and fans at home
🥤Drink a lot of water
🐶Keep pets safe inside and hydrated

call 911 if you see someone suffering from a heat emergency

Learn more: http://ready.gov/heat

Join us for the next the Iowa HHS public comment session on July 18! Your input helps improve access and outcomes for behavioral health services across Iowa.

Date: July 18, 2024

Time: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Location: Rosecrance Jackson Centers, 3500 W 4th St., Sioux City, IA

Make sure to lock your car when you’re not around! Unattended cars can become deadly if a child gets locked inside accidently. Even on a cool day, a car’s temperatures can become deadly in minutes. Lock your vehicle doors and keep keys out of reach.

Learn more: https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/heatstroke

Iowa HHS invites you to take a survey that will help us understand and improve the health of women and children in Iowa. Sharing your opinions and experiences will support future health care strategies and services.

You will be asked about your experiences in getting health care and social support services.
•No personal information will be collected.
•Survey results will help us identify health priorities, assess existing services and plan for a healthier future.

The survey will close on July 14, 2024.
English survey: https://go.iowa.gov/Waxh
Español: https://go.iowa.gov/y5pD

Do you know where to go when you hear the town siren? Or when you receive an alert in your car? 🤔

Follow these tips for the best places to take shelter:
👍 Best: Storm shelter/safe room
✅ Good: Basement or interior room
👎 Bad: Large open rooms/manufactured housing
🚫 Worst: Mobile homes/vehicles

Ready.iowa.gov/tornadoes

Gov. Reynolds announced the approval of Buena Vista, Cherokee and O'Brien Counties for Individual Assistance under the previously approved Major Disaster Declaration, where significant damage was sustained from severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes that started on June 16.

More information: https://go.iowa.gov/cwBB

Iowa residents in Emmet, Lyon, Clay, Plymouth and Sioux counties affected by the June flooding, may be eligible for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits. Iowa HHS will have staff on the ground in these five counties THIS WEEK.

To learn more about eligibility requirements and more, visit: hhs.iowa.gov/dsnap
You can visit one of the locations listed below in the graphic, in-person to or applications and interviews can be completed over the phone by calling 877-828-5648.

***Please take proof of identity. You may need to provide proof of residence in the storm-affected area, income, and disaster-related expenses.***

Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Clay County Iowa Emergency Management
Emmet County Emergency Management
Health Services of Lyon County
Plymouth County Iowa Emergency Management
Sioux County, Iowa - Government

If your home was flooded, mold may be present and can pose a health risk.

Look for mold in places where there may be water issues like under sinks, in laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, where a roof has leaked, in the basement, etc.

HHS provides FAQs about mold, re-entering a flooded home and more here: https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/disaster-recovery-resources

Keep everyone safe and healthy at your weekend celebrations by being aware of food temperatures. If you’re having a barbeque, be aware of how long cooked items have been sitting and remember to wash your hands to avoid becoming sick from food poisoning.

Learn about risk factors and how to prevent illness from food: https://hhs.iowa.gov/public-health/center-acute-disease-epidemiology/foodborne-illness

July 4th festivities planned? Make sure your plans include a sober ride home. Designate a driver before the fireworks start.

Happy 4th of July from Iowa HHS! We hope you have a safe and healthy day with friends and family, remember to wear sunscreen and stay hydrated!

You’ve waited all year for July 4th fireworks and BBQs. Make sure you’re around to enjoy them — don’t drive impaired. If You Feel Different, You Drive Different.

Join us for the next the Iowa HHS public comment session on July 8 at 12:00 - 1:00pm!
Your input helps improve access and outcomes for behavioral health services across Iowa. Sign up now: https://healthmanagement.zoom.us/j/98346885766?pwd=MVdvSmNSMHZVdjFRRG5PMFhSZ3pLZz09

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency is opening Disaster Recovery Centers in Spencer and Rock Valley to provide 1-on-1 assistance for people affected by the recent flooding and storms.

Both recovery centers will be open on the 4th of July holiday.

More information: https://go.iowa.gov/YYyC

⚠️ Beware of Possible Fraud in Iowa ⚠️

FEMA is NOT going door-to-door offering to buy houses in northwest Iowa. If someone is offering to buy your house, they are not working for FEMA.

Additionally, FEMA does NOT have approved contractors for home repairs, construction or debris removal. We encourage survivors to watch for and report any suspicious activity.

More info: fema.gov/about/offices/security/disaster-fraud

Severe storm chances are in the forecast for tonight & Tuesday for most of Iowa.

Heavy rains & flash floods are a significant hazard. Know the difference between flash flood fact & fiction.

Ready.iowa.gov/floods

If you are cleaning up from a flood, please remember generators must be used safely to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning!

- NEVER use a generator inside your home
- Keep it at least 20 ft away from doors/windows
- Install CO detectors in your home

Learn more about carbon monoxide poisoning and how to protect yourself and your family: https://hhs.iowa.gov/public-health/data/health/carbon-monoxide-co-poisoning

Severe weather has affected Iowa this spring and summer. Make sure that your family has a plan for weather issues in the future.

Visit https://ready.iowa.gov/be-prepared/ to for information on how to make a plan and build an emergency kit.

Help us improve the health of women and children in Iowa by taking the Iowa HHS Family Health Survey. Survey results will help identify health priorities and assess services to make them better for the future.

No personal information will be taken during the survey. The survey will close on July 14, 2024.

English survey: https://go.iowa.gov/Waxh
Español: https://go.iowa.gov/y5pD