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Resources for Property Owners Impacted by Flooding

As the Mississippi River rises, we encourage all at-risk property owners to be prepared to be resilient.  Find recovery resources at this location. Resources will be added as necessitated by the impact of the Mississippi River. 

Here are some key steps for property owner’s recovering from flooding.

  • Call your insurance agent before you do anything
  • Document your damage and keep all of your receipts 
  • Building and Floodplain Development Permits may be required for repair and restoration activities. City staff will conduct damage assessments to assist with the process.
Recovery Steps

First Steps:

  • Contact your insurance agent if you have a flood insurance policy
    • File a notice of loss with your insurer
    • Do not discard any property before your insurance adjuster sees it
    • Remember that flood insurance only covers direct physical damage from flooding, check with your insurance agent on individual coverage
  • Document your damage
    • Take pictures of everything
    • Make a list of all items with costs if available; make note of brands, model numbers, any additional information that could be helpful
    • Keep all receipts for any associated costs
  • Damage Assessments will be conducted by City staff. Guidance on repair and restoration activities will be provided. 
    • Before any work begins approved permit applications may be required. Contact the building department at 563.326.7745 during business hours for information regarding the next steps to take before entering the building to ensure your safety.
      • Systems that were turned off will need to be inspected to ensure they are running correctly. (Examples: Gas/Electrical, Fire Alarms, Emergency Exit signs)
      • Gas/Electrical. Possible hazards include- Standing water/ electrocution, structural damage.

 

Utilities - Gas & Electric

Post-Mississippi River Crest - May 1, 2023

MidAmerican Energy will be evaluating gas connections as the river recedes. If the meter and gas line into the house, and no appliances at a location were damaged due to flooding, the agency will turn natural gas back on to the property.  City staff will still stop by to conduct a damage assessment and advise if any other repairs or corrections are needed at the location. 

If damage is identified, repair, permits and inspection will be required before service can be returned. Information on this and other repair or restoration requirements will be provided to property owners following a damage assessment. 

Pre-Mississippi River Crest - May 1, 2023

Current Conditions
MidAmerican Energy has indicated that they will be shutting off natural gas to locations already impacted by river levels and will continue as properties become or potentially become impacted. At this time there is no plan to shut-off electrical service unless warranted by other hazardous conditions. The agency is taking this step as a precautionary measure to help protect our community, employees, the public and energy utility systems.

How Will I Be Notified?
MidAmerican is verifying that it is absolutely necessary before any customer’s service is cut off and affected customers are being notified through an automated call. Not sure if you are signed up for notices? Visit this MidAmerican Energy site to sign-up for energy related alerts.

MidAmerican Energy will make every effort to give customers as much advanced notice as practical prior to an emergency shutoff.

My Gas Has Been Shut-off
If your gas has been shut-off for reasons other than flood risk, call 888-427-5632.

Property owners will need to receive an approved permit for meters prior to utilities being restored by MidAmerican Energy. Find information on the meter permit application and process at this link.  

Pending Council approval, the City intends to waive all applicable City permit fees for recovering properties receiving a flood damage assessment in support of flood recovery and building restoration activities

Contact MidAmerican Energy
Any MidAmerican customer who has any questions or concerns about how flooding may impact their gas or electric service should call MidAmerican Energy at 888-427-5632.  We appreciate our customers’ understanding and want to reinforce that safety is our top priority.  Find additional resources at this link to MidAmerican Energy's tips.

Damage Assessments

Be aware damage assessments will be performed at all property located in an area that has flooded. These will be performed door-to-door at accessible locations. A drone will be used to collect preliminary information for all property inaccessible when the river crests. Property owners will be informed of permitting and other recovery steps that may apply as damage assessments are conducted. The damage assessments are conducted as required by FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Community Rating System.

The City is waiving all applicable City permit fees for recovering properties impacted by the flood in support of flood recovery and building restoration activities. The waiver is contingent upon a completed damage assessment by City of Davenport staff or their designee. 

Permits

The City of Davenport will waive all necessary and applicable City permit fees for flood recovery and building restoration activities. The waiver is contingent upon a completed damage assessment by City of Davenport staff or their designee.

Clean-up Kits

Beginning Monday May 8, the Salvation Army will have free Flood Clean-up Kits available to those in Flood affected areas.  You will need to present a valid ID or Driver's License. 

Pick up Clean-up Kits at: 100 Kirkwood Ave, Davenport from 9AM to 2PM, M-F.  Or call 563-324-4808 for details.

Debris

Property owners impacted by flooding may wonder what to do with the debris generated. Here’s what you need to know as you recover. Before you begin the cleanup, it is key to document damages and contact your insurance agent.

Sand and Sandbags

The City will pick up and haul away all sand and sandbags placed for collection at the curb. This service is not limited to solid waste customers. 

For sandbag pick-up, call (563) 326-7923 or place a request online at www.davenportiowa.com/pwrs. Sandbags must be placed in a pile in the curb line and not obstruct traffic. The City will not pick up sandbags we have not received a request for.

All Other Debris

  • Private property owners should use available property insurance resources for debris collection and disposal falling outside of available assistance provided by the City.
  • The City will collect eligible debris from solid waste customers (all single-family through 3-plex multi-family residential units having an active water account) and haul it away.
Financial Aid and Case Management

On April 25th, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a disaster proclamation for Scott County as one of several Iowa Counties impacted by flooding. That proclamation allows grant assistance and case management services to be made available.

Iowa Individual Grant Assistance

Under the program, grant assistance is being made available to affected residents for needs including: auto and home repairs, clothing, food and emergency housing. Individuals and families must meet income eligibility guidelines to qualify for the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program.

Forms are available online at this link. 

Application forms may also be obtained in person and submitted to:

Community Action of Eastern Iowa, 500 E. 59th St., Davenport, IA 52806, 563-324-3236

Case Management Assistance

Residents impacted that experience legal issues (tenant-landlord disputes, employment disputes, etc.), insurance issues, or related questions can contact Iowa Legal Aid for assistance. There are no income eligibility guidelines for case management assistance. 

For assistance contact:
Iowa Legal Aid, 1-800-532-1275, https://www.iowalegalaid.org/

Sheltering and Food Support

Sheltering
Residents impacted by flooding and needing support with sheltering are encouraged to contact the American Red Cross. A flood hotline has been established for residents and staff are standing by to take calls.

American Red Cross – Flood Hotline: 1-800-REDCROSS

If residents requesting shelter support through American Red Cross also need transportation assistance to get to the shelter, please advise the American Red Cross of your need for transportation assistance. They will obtain that information and help connect residents with transportation services.

Food
The Red Cross, as supported by the Salvation Army, have discontinued mobile feeding operations effective May 11, 2023.

Sewer Backup Is Possible

Higher river levels and significant rain can result in sewer backup.  If you experience a sewer backup, call Public Works at 563.326.7923.

Reduce the Potential Impacts of Flooding

Know that no flood barrier is guaranteed.

If your property is at-risk, please do take precautionary measures such as moving furnishings off basement floors or to a higher ground level until river levels recede.

As the river rises, here are a few other important tips. 

  1. Prepare for flooding:

 

  • Know how to shut off the electricity and gas.
  • Make a list of emergency numbers and identify a safe place to go to.
  • Make an inventory, especially of basement contents.
  • Put insurance policies, valuable papers, medicine, etc. in a safe place.
  • Remove items from the basement or elevate them as high as you can if a chance for flooding or flash flooding is in the forecast.
  • Develop a disaster response plan.

 

2.  Consider permanent flood protective measures:

  • Mark the fuse or breaker box to show the circuits to the floodable areas.  Turning off the power to the basement can reduce property damage and save lives.
  • Check the property for water entry points. These can be basement windows, the basement stairwell, doors, and dryer vents. These can be protected with low walls or temporary shields.
  • Install a floor drain plug, standpipe, overhead sewer, or sewer backup valve to prevent sewer backup flooding.