Disaster checks in the mail to Iowans

The checks are in the mail. Lots of checks. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent off several hundred-thousand dollars to Iowans who saw damage to their homes and businesses during the recent tornadoes, severe storms and floods. FEMA spokesman Lew Wood updates the numbers.More than 15-hundred Iowans have called the hotline, 800 621-FEMA, since the storms and so far, Wood says 800-thousand dollars has been sent to those who were deemed eligible for disaster assistance. Of the four FEMA disaster recovery centers that have opened in Iowa, one is closing — the center in the Humboldt County town of Bradgate, which was heavily damaged by a tornado last month. The Bradgate disaster recovery center will close at 6 P.M. today, but three others are still open. They’re in Mason City, Independence and National. Wood says a new disaster recovery center is opening (tomorrow) Saturday in Waterloo at the Hazardous Materials Training Center. In Iowa, 58 counties are now on the list of federal disaster areas. Wood says people with damage should call 800 621-FEMA -before- heading to a disaster recovery center.