Iowa farmers with tornado damage find ‘gap’ in accessing assistance [Video]

TREYNOR, Iowa (KMTV) — The USDA, FEMA, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies gathered in one place to help ag producers navigate the maze of services available to them following recent tornadoes. Shelby County, in particular, has 74 damaged farmsteads and approximately $100 million in damage.

• “FEMA has recognized that there’s a gap in recovery resources and planning for the agricultural community,” said DuWayne Tewes, the federal coordinating officer with FEMA.
• Apply for HHS benefits, including temporary SNAP benefits: hhs.iowa.gov
• Iowa Concern Hotline for farm stress, with ISU Extension: 800-447-1985
• FEMA: DisasterRecovery.Iowa.gov

BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT: FEMA knows there’s a gap in services between what farmers who were affected by the April tornadoes actually need and what they were able to receive. I’m your southwest Iowa Neighborhood Reporter Katrina Markel in Treynor.

I’m here because a recovery center has been set up specifically for the ag community.

This is a one-day event at the Treynor community center designed …