News : Disaster Recovery Coalition sets July 22 meeting for tornado-affected families

While the Red Cross and Salvation Army provided the immediate response for families impacted by the EF2 tornado, the Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition will be the organization to provide ongoing assistance.

All individuals and families impacted by Sunday’s tornado are asked to attend a meeting on Friday, July 22nd at the Vinton Shellsburg High School. The meeting will begin at 10:30 am in the school commons. Representatives of the Benton County Disaster Coalition and the City of Vinton will give an update on available assistance programs, financial assistance, and housing assistance. In addition, the coalition wants feedback on housing needs and other needs from impacted individuals and families. The Coalition is seeking input from families to tailor specific needs for individual family situations. Officials from the Coalition, Benton County Emergency Management, and City of Vinton will be on the program.

Benton County’s Disaster Recovery Coalition is a 501c3 organization that was formed after the floods of 2008 to assist families in the county who have unmet needs after all other sources of funds have been exhausted. The Coalition is Benton County’s long term disaster recovery organization. They work directly with Benton County Emergency Management. Its mission is “To strengthen area-wide disaster coordination in Benton County by sharing information, simplifying resident access, and jointly resolving cases with unmet needs”.

The Coalition is made up of local agency representatives and volunteers who “activate” when a multi-dwelling disaster occurs. They will continue to meet until all disaster impacted families with unmet needs are back on their feet.

For questions about the meeting, contact Benton County Emergency Management, Phone: 319-472-4519.