This tab contains information helpful to those dealing with a variety of disasters.  For specific information on Flooding, Drought, Tornado/Wind Damage, or Winter Storms please check those tabs. 

Disposal of Debris and Waste Materials:

• Appliance Demanufacturers - Iowa’s permitted collection and recycling facilities for waste appliances.
• Electronic Waste - Where to take your electronic waste - Iowa’s permitted collection and recycling facilities for electronic waste.
• Household Hazardous Materials - Disposal, storage, and hazards of many household materials.
  - Regional Collection Center (map)
  - Regional Collection Center (contacts) 
• EPA Hazardous Waste Guide - Guidance on handling and disposal of Hazardous Waste.
• EPA Disaster Debris - Guidance on handling and disposal of a variety of debris.

Clean-up of Asbestos Containing Materials:

• Asbestos Information for People Returning to Damaged Properties 
• Guidelines for Catastrophic Emergency Situations involving Asbestos 
• DNR Asbestos and Air Quality Staff

Tree and Shrub Burning:

• Tree Burning Factsheet  - Proper handling, storage, and burning of tree and shrub debris.

General Health and Safety:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - FEMA Health and Safety Guidelines
• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - CDC Health and Safety
• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Cleaning with Bleach after a Disaster

Links to Federal Agency Information (FEMA, EPA, and CDC):

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - Ready.gov - Natural Disasters
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - EPA General Disaster Preparedness
• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - CDC General Hazards Information

This tab contains information specific to flood related disasters.  Additional information common to all disasters is contained in the general tab.

Flood Protective Measures:

• Flood Plain Mapping
• Propane Safety and Floods
• EPA UST Flood Guide
• Septic Tanks and Floods

Wildlife:

• Flooding impacts on Wildlife
• Flooding impacts on Fish

Flood Recovery:

• Return Home Safely
• Mold Questions Factsheet or Call the Department of Public Health at 515-281-5787
• DNR Guide to Flood Clean-Up in Rural Areas On-farm Disposal of Flood Debris/Waste and Dead Animals
• What should I do when my Well from Floods
• Proper Management of Flooded Grain and Hay
• Disposing of Flood-Deposited Sand Silt and Debris on Farmland
• Flood Clean-up for Business
• Sand and Sandbag Disposal

Rebuilding After a Flood:

• http://floodplain.iowadnr.gov/ or 1-866-849-0321 - Assistance and approval information for the repair, maintenance and construction of flood damaged homes in a flood plain.
• SRF and Flood Repair - Information on restructuring existing State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans, using SRF loans as match for FEMA funds, using SRF funds as short-term loans to be repaid with FEMA grants, and using SRF loans to pay for repairs.
• Underground Storage Tanks – What to do if the site is flooded - Information for owners and operators on what to do before putting a flooded UST system back into operation.

Flood Monitoring:

• River Flow Levels

Links to Federal Agency Information (FEMA, EPA, and CDC):

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - FEMA Flood Awareness
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - EPA Flooding Information
• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - CDC Flood Information

Droughts not only impact crops, parks, and lawns they can also impact a community's ability to fight fires and provide drinking water.  Information about droughts and response to drought conditions are discussed on this tab.  General information about responding to and recovery from disasters is located in under the General tab.

Water Summary Update is a graphical overview of the status of Iowa’s water resources and supplies. It is published every two weeks or as conditions change during drought conditions. The Water Summary Update is prepared by the Iowa DNR in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division.


State Agency Resources:

• The Governor’s Office Drought Page 
• Iowa State University Drought Information and Resources 
• Iowa Department of Public Safety Burning Ban Map 

Weather Forcast Information:

• National Weather Service 8-14 Day Outlook 
• US Geological Survey (USGS) USGS Iowa Drought Watch

Crop and Water Resource Information:

• Crop Progress and Condition  
• River Flow Levels
• Drought Q & A from the USGS
• Water Conservation Tips

Links to Federal Agency Information (FEMA, EPA, and CDC): 

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - FEMA Drought Information
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - EPA Drought Information
• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - CDC Extreme Heat Information

Tornados and wind storms can be devastating to individuals and communities.  This tab provides general information about protecting yourself during a tornado/wind storm and information about recovering from a tornado/wind storm. 

DNR's Role in Tornado/Wind Storm Disaster Recovery
Following a tornado or wind storm disaster the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will work with the local community and other state agencies to begin clean-up.  Debris collection sites, tree and brush burn sites, and solid waste collection sites will be established with DNR assistance.  If a community's water or waste water infrastructure is damaged, the DNR will work with them to determine the impact, plan for immediate community needs, and plan for repairing or rebuilding the infrastructure.

Protecting Yourself from a Tornado:

• NOAA Storm Prediction Center - Tornado Safety Guide
• Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management's - Tornado Information Page

Recovering from a Tornado:

• Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management's - Disaster Assistance Page
• EPA's Planning for Disaster Debris
• FEMA Debris Management Guide

Additional information on recovering from tornadoes and wind storms can be found under the "General" disaster tab.

Links to Federal Agency Information (FEMA, EPA, and CDC):

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - FEMA Tornado Information
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - EPA Tornado Information
• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - CDC Tornado Information

Winter storms can impact Iowans from October through April and include: blizzards, heavy snow events, and ice storms.  This tab provides information on preparing for, protection during and recovering from winter storms.

The Department of Natural Resources focuses on disaster debris removal and disposal, water and wastewater protection and recovery, and natural resource monitoring.  During a disaster, DNR staff assist other agencies as requested.

Winter Storm Protective Measures:

• National Weather Service - Winter Weather Safety and Awareness site
• Red Cross - Winter Storm information site
• Weather.com - Winter Home Protection Tips
• Alliant Energy - Heater and Generator Safety Tips

Travel Resources:

• Iowa Department of Transportation - Winter Safety page
• Iowa Department of Transportation - Weather View travel tool

Winter Storm Recovery:

• Iowa Department of Human Services - Disaster Assistance page
• Iowa Department of Public Health - Center for Disaster Operations page

Links to Federal Agency Information (FEMA, EPA, and CDC):

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - FEMA Winter Weather Information
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - EPA Snow and Ice Information
• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - CDC Winter Disaster Information