07/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/23/2024 09:58
DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa'srecent severe storms and flooding have likely wreaked havoc on more than your house. Some of your priceless photos, books and other family treasures or heirlooms may have been damaged too.
It might be tempting to throw these mementos away. But hold on. You may be able to save them with advice from FEMA preservation professionals at various state/federal Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) starting July 24.
The specialists will be on hand to demonstrate such tasks as cleaning photographs, preserving books, documents, electronic media and textiles. The demonstrations are free and follow this schedule:
Date | Location | Address | Time |
July 24 | Greenfield DRC |
Nodaway Valley Elementary School, 324 NW 2nd St. Greenfield, IA 50849 |
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
July 25 | Agricultural Recovery Center |
Cedar County Fairgrounds, the Matthews Building, 1195 210 St. Tipton, IA 52772 |
12 noon to 7 p.m. |
July 27 | Estherville DRC |
St. Patrick's Church (Gym) 903 Central Ave. Estherville, IA 51334 |
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
Date | Location | Address | Time |
July 28 July 29 |
Spencer DRC |
Clay County Regional Events Center- Tower Gate Pavilion 800 W 18th St, Spencer, IA 51301 |
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
July 30 July 31 |
Rock Rapids DRC |
Forster Community Center 404 1st Ave. Rock Rapids, IA 51246 |
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
Aug. 1 Aug 2 |
Rock Valley DRC |
City Park Shelter House 1013 13th Ave. Rock Valley, IA |
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
Survivors are asked not to bring damaged items to the DRCs to avoid a chance of causing more damage in transit. Instead, it is recommended that you digitally photograph the item(s) about which you would like to ask the specialists for advice.
The demonstrations are sponsored by the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF), a coalition of more than 60 national organizations and federal agencies co-sponsored by FEMA and the Smithsonian Institution. HENTF works to protect cultural resources throughout the U.S. and its territories from the effects of disasters and emergencies.
If you can't make any of these events, here is an online FEMA resource for more information: www.fema.gov/disaster/recover/save-family-treasures.
If you want to try preserving items on your own, here are some basic procedures to get you started:
For more information, visit the Heritage Emergency National Task Force pages:
FEMA:www.fema.gov Type HENTF in Search box.
Smithsonian:https://culturalrescue.si.edu/who-we-are-hentf or email [email protected].
Disaster Recovery Centers are physically accessible to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. They are equipped with assistive and adaptive technology such as amplified phones, caption phones, video phones, wheelchair ramps and other resources to help ensure all applicants can access resources.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age,disability, English proficiency, or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 833-285-7448.