August 2020

Linn County Storm Response Information

Many parts of Iowa were affected by a severe derecho storm that swept through the state on Monday, August 10, 2020. Sustained winds and gusts between 90-140 mph for up to 45 minutes caused extensive damage and power outages for hundreds of thousands of people, including Linn County residents and businesses.

Visit LinnCounty.org/Storm for the latest storm-related information. Updates are made as new information becomes available.

Unincorporated Linn County Debris Removal

Linn County Secondary Roads continues to work with its contractor Ceres for organic debris removal in unincorporated Linn County. Crews are still working on the first pass for debris pickup and communications will be sent once the third and final pass begins. Sign up to receive notifications and select the "Front Page News" option.

The most up-to-date organic debris removal information can been found at LinnCounty.org/Storm. Website changes are made as new information becomes available.

FEMA Assistance Available to Eligible Linn County Residents

Linn County residents affected by the August 10 storm may be eligible to apply for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program, which provides disaster-affected homeowners, renters, and businesses with programs and services to maximize recovery, including assistance with housing, personal property replacement, medical expenses, and legal services.

Assistance can come in the form of grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Before applying to FEMA, residents should contact their insurance company and file a claim for the disaster-caused damage. There is no need to wait for FEMA to start cleaning up, but be sure to take photographs or video of the damage and keep all receipts for repair work. Linn County residents with losses not covered by insurance should contact FEMA to apply for assistance.

More information about applying for Individual Assistance from FEMA can be found at LinnCounty.org/Storm or on the FEMA website.

Linn County Phone Service is Limited, Buildings Open By Appointment

Phone lines for some Linn County departments remain down after damage from the August 10 storm. However, departments can be reached by email.

Linn County offices are open to the public on an appointment-only basis due to COVID-19. Anyone entering County buildings will be required to wear a face covering and social distance. COVID-19 symptom screening will also be in place.

Additional information about County services, email addresses, and appointment scheduling is available on the Linn County website.

Please note: Linn County offices will be closed Monday, September 7 for Labor Day.

Planning & Development Storm-Related Updates

Linn County has made multiple service changes and passed resolutions to assist with recovery from the August 10 storm. Here are the highlights:

Linn County Planning & Development and the Assessor's Office are continuing to do preliminary damage assessments throughout the county and residents are encouraged to fill out the State of Iowa's Damage Assessment Survey.
Building permit fees for storm-related construction permits have been waived, but permits are still required. More permit information and tips for finding a licensed contractor can be found on the Linn County website.
The Board of Supervisors signed a resolution allowing residents of unincorporated Linn County who are unable to occupy their home due to storm damage to establish temporary housing on the same site as the storm-damaged home, or on a vacant parcel intended for construction of a new residence if certain conditions are met. View the list of conditions.

Visit LinnCounty.org/Storm for the latest storm recovery updates.

Watch for Storm Scams

Residents need to be aware of potential contractor fraud. There are a multitude of storm-chaser scams out there. Protect yourself by following these tips:

Use caution when hiring unknown or out-of-state contractors.
Get a quote for the work.
Do not pay up front for repair services.
Contact your insurance company for information regarding damage claims.
Contact your local building department to have them verify if the contractor is licensed and/or registered.

Victims of fraud, scams, or price-gouging can contact the Iowa Attorney General’s Office to file a consumer complaint.

Information on FEMA-related scams can be found on the FEMA website.

Property Taxes Due

Property tax statements are in the process of being mailed to property owners. The deadline to pay the first half of property and mobile home taxes without penalty is Sept. 30, 2020. A penalty of one and one half percent will attach to late payments beginning Oct. 1.

Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, property taxes cannot be paid in person. However, the following payment options are available:

Online at IowaTaxAndTags.org
Mail a check payable to Linn County Treasurer, 935 2nd St. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404. Mailed payments must be post marked by the U.S. Postal Service by Sept. 30, 2020 to avoid late fees.
By depositing payment in the white drop box located at 935 2nd St. SW, Cedar Rapids.

To ensure proper credit, the stub portion of the tax statement must be submitted with the payment. Residents who would like a receipt must include a self-addressed stamped envelope with their payment.

Linn County Emergency Management Warns of Severe Weather Potential

Linn County Emergency Management is actively following the severe weather potential for Friday afternoon into the overnight hours and plans to sound the outdoor warning sirens if winds gust or are sustained at more than 40 miles per hour. This decision is based on the amount of loose debris still present on the ground and hanging debris still in the trees that has the potential to cause damage or injury when blown around.

Residents are asked to take note of their surroundings when outdoors to ensure safe distances are maintained from loose, hanging debris that may fall at any time. Debris already on the ground should be moved away from structures to minimize the risk for property damage.

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