Clay County Long Term Recovery

09/08/2026

🚗 Emergencies happen on the road just as often as they happen at home.

Whether it's sudden severe storms, flash floods, or vehicle breakdowns, having basic emergency gear in your trunk can keep you safe until help arrives.

🎒 Trunk Essentials:
• Jumper cables & tire pressure gauge
• Flashlight with extra batteries (or hand-crank)
• First aid kit & small multi-tool
• Bottled water and non-perishable snack bars
• Sturdy walking shoes & high-visibility blanket
• Portable phone car charger

❓ Action Question: What is the one item currently in your vehicle's glovebox or trunk that you rely on most in a pinch?

09/04/2026

📲 Don't silence the warnings that could save your life!

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are free emergency messages sent directly by authorized public safety officials and the National Weather Service to your mobile device. They don’t require an app and emit a unique sound and vibration.

⚙️ Check your settings today:
• iPhone: Settings > Notifications > Scroll to the very bottom to "Government Alerts" and ensure Emergency & Public Safety Alerts are ON.
• Android: Settings > Safety & Emergency (or Wireless & Networks) > Wireless Emergency Alerts > Ensure alerts are toggled ON.

❓ Action Question: Have you checked your phone's notification settings to confirm emergency weather alerts aren't silenced?

09/03/2026

🚨 GIVEAWAY: Win an emergency Preparedness Kit! 🚨

September is National Preparedness Month, and we want to help your family get storm-ready! Every day this month, we’re posting quick tips, safety reminders, and an Action Question.

💬 HOW TO ENTER:
Simply comment with your answer on our daily Preparedness Month posts!
• Each comment on a daily post = 1 entry into the drawing.
• Answer every day from now through September 30 to maximize your chances of winning!

(We will also be giving away a kit at the Clay County Fair with Clay County Iowa Emergency Management)

🎒 WHAT’S IN THE KIT?
One lucky winner will take home a loaded emergency kit packed with:
📻 Hand Crank/Solar Emergency NOAA Weather Radio
☀️ Solar-Powered Cell Phone Charger
🔦 Flashlights + fresh backup batteries
🩹 2 First Aid Kits
🦺 2 High-Visibility Safety Vests
🛏️ Warm, cozy quilt
🧻 Paper towels, toilet paper & towels

🗓️ Drawing Details:
Entries close at 11:59 PM on September 30. The facebook winner will be randomly drawn and announced right here on our page on October 1!

📌 Bookmark or follow our page, look for our daily questions, and drop your thoughts in the comments to enter!

(Note: Per Facebook rules, this giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Facebook. Kit must be claimed locally.)

Send a message to learn more

09/03/2026

Disasters don't wait until everyone is under the same roof. If cell towers are jammed or power is down, does your family know where to go and who to call? 📋

Take 15 minutes this weekend to set up a simple Household Emergency Plan:

📍 Pick 2 Meeting Spots:
Right outside your home (for sudden emergencies like a house fire).
Outside your neighborhood (in case you cannot return home).
📞 Designate an Out-of-Area Contact: Local phone lines are often congested during major emergencies, but long-distance calls and SMS text messages often go through faster. Pick an out-of-town relative everyone checks in with.

📝 Write these numbers down on a card for kids' backpacks and family wallets!

❓ Action Question: Where is your family's designated outdoor meeting spot if you ever have to evacuate your home quickly?

09/02/2026

🟡 WATCH vs. WARNING: Do you know the difference? 🔴

In severe weather, every second counts. Knowing how to react to NWS alerts can save lives:

🟡 WATCH = BE PREPARED. Weather conditions are favorable for a hazard to develop. Check your supplies, review your emergency plan, and monitor local forecasts.

🔴 WARNING = TAKE ACTION. The hazard is imminent or already occurring in your area. Move immediately to your safe place (such as a basement, interior room, or storm shelter).

📲 Action Step: Enable wireless emergency alerts on your phone, download a reliable local weather app, and consider keeping a NOAA Weather Radio at home with fresh backup batteries!

❓ Action Question: What is your primary way of getting severe weather alerts when you're asleep - phone alerts, a weather app, or a NOAA weather radio? Let us know below!

weather.gov/wrnWays to get warnings:Wireless Emergency Alerts (...

09/01/2026

🚨 September is officially National Preparedness Month! 🚨

When disaster strikes, having a plan in place makes all the difference for your household and our entire community. Preparing doesn't have to be overwhelming or expensive taking small steps week by week builds lasting resilience.

Over the next four weeks, we’ll be sharing simple, actionable checklists covering emergency communication, supply kits, low-cost home mitigation, and community safety.

💬 Let us know in the comments: What is one step you’ve already taken to prepare your home for severe weather?

08/25/2026

What a privilege it has been to work alongside our community on this project!

Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) has been here on the ground since the beginning of June, tackling home repairs and building a brand-new home for a local family. A massive undertaking like this takes incredible teamwork, planning, and dedicated community partners to make it a reality.

A huge thank you to everyone who stepped up:
Mennonite Disaster Service
Midwest Companies
Muddy Creek
BiddleElectric
Christians Sheet Metal
Denison Drywall Contracting & Supply
Consumers Lumber
Adam Cox – Cox Concrete Construction, LLC
The Faster Horses
Kruse Natural Stone & Tile
City of Spencer, Iowa
Spencer Chamber of Commerce

There are so many others who gave of their time, finances and resources. Thank you!

Stay tuned, we’ll be sharing photos and videos from the house dedication with MDS soon! 🏡✨

07/08/2026

07/03/2026

05/27/2026

Clay County has been approved for the State Individual Assistance Program as a result of the recent storms. If you or someone you know was impacted by the last round of storms, please use the attached QR code to apply. You may also contact Clay County Long Term Recovery if you need assistance filling out the application. They can be reached at 712-580-5670. Please share this post.