Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency

06/15/2026

Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial

We are here to help you recover and protect you from scams!

As you begin the cleanup and rebuilding process, the Iowa Insurance Division and our Fraud Bureau want to ensure you have the resources you need—and know how to spot the scammers that often follow in the wake of a storm.

1️⃣Contact your insurance company directly: Your first call should always be to your insurance agent to report the damage.

2️⃣Document the damage: Take photos and videos of your property before doing any temporary repairs or debris removal.

3️⃣Download our Post-Disaster Claims Guide: Visit https://ow.ly/yzCL50Z2I7B for step-by-step guidance on navigating the insurance claims process.

⚠️ BEWARE OF STORM CHASERS & SCAMS ⚠️
Unfortunately, bad actors try to take advantage of communities during times of need. Protect your home and your wallet by looking out for these red flags:

Contractor Fraud: Be wary of unsolicited contractors knocking on your door. NEVER pay large sums of money up front, and don't let them pressure you into signing a contract on the spot. Always get multiple written estimates and verify their registration with the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing.

Unauthorized "Public Adjusters": A roofing or repair contractor cannot legally negotiate your insurance claim, appraise the damage for the insurance company, or promise to waive your deductible. Only deal directly with your insurance company or a licensed public adjuster.

🛑Report Suspected Fraud:
If you feel you are being pressured by a "storm chaser," suspect contractor fraud, or think someone is illegally acting as an unlicensed public adjuster, we want to know about it!

📞 Iowa Insurance Division Fraud Bureau: (877) 955-1212 or (515) 654-6600
💻File a complaint online: https://ow.ly/sEnV50Z2I7C

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office - Red Oak, Iowa
Red Oak Police Department

06/12/2026

⛈️ Were you affected by severe weather on June 11th?

Governor Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster proclamation for Montgomery County in response to severe weather that impacted our area, as well as many of our neighboring counties.

🚨 Governor Reynolds’ proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program for affected counties. The proclamation is effective immediately and will remain in effect for 30 days unless terminated or extended.

🏠 The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants up to $7,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for:
• Home or car repairs
• Replacement of personal property or food
• Temporary housing expenses
🧾 Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery.

🤝 The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case advocates work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referrals to obtain services or resources. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program, and it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation.

📸 Residents who experienced damage are encouraged to document damages, take photos, and report impacts to local officials as additional damage assessments continue.

⚠️ Please continue to use caution around damaged areas, downed power lines, flooded roadways, and debris. Never drive through flooded roads.

📝 The Disaster Assistance Request Form and instructions can be found on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website, homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance

🔗 For more information on disaster-related programs and resources available to Iowans, visit the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department website, homelandsecurity.iowa.gov

To learn more about the types of disasters that can occur in Iowa and for preparedness information, visit ready.iowa.gov
Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management
City of Red Oak - Government
City of Stanton, Iowa
City of Elliott
Villisca Community Betterment Association
Kcsi/Koak Radio
KJAN AM 1220
Red Oak Express
Villisca Review Stanton Viking
KMA Broadcasting

06/11/2026

⚠️ Storm Damage Update – Montgomery County ⚠️

Significant severe weather impacted Montgomery County early this morning. Utility crews and local responders remain actively working to repair downed and broken power lines and clear tree debris from roadways and public rights-of-way.

🚧 Please continue to use caution while traveling, especially in areas near and east of Villisca. Never approach or drive over downed power lines, and be alert for crews working along roadways.

🏠 If your home, farm, business, or property sustained damage from today's storms, please help us document the impacts by submitting a self-reported damage assessment using the link below:
📋 https://ia-state.orioncentral.com/SelfReporter

Damage reports help local and state officials better understand the extent of the impacts and may assist in determining eligibility for disaster assistance programs.

Thank you for your patience as crews continue cleanup and restoration efforts. Please continue to monitor official sources for updates.

06/11/2026

Please report any damage from this mornings severe weather utilizing the following link

Step 4: Document Upload Upload photos or supporting documents for your disaster assistance application. Supporting Documents File Document Type Description (optional)

05/28/2026

On Wednesday afternoon, our drone assisted Fremont County officials during the response to the explosion and fire at the Heartland Co-Op grain storage facility in Randolph.

Throughout the incident, aerial drone operations provided Incident Command with continuous real-time views of the scene while also monitoring heat conditions within the structures for approximately four hours. The use of drone technology helped enhance situational awareness and support ongoing fire operations in a safe and effective manner.

We appreciate the teamwork and coordination from all responding agencies involved in this incident!

Fremont County Iowa Emergency Management

05/22/2026

⛈️ Were you affected by the severe weather events on May 15th or after?

Governor Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster proclamation for Montgomery County in response to the multiple severe weather events that impacted our area last weekend.

🚨 Governor Reynolds’ proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program for affected counties. The proclamation is effective immediately and will remain in effect for 30 days unless terminated or extended.

🏠 The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants up to $7,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for:
• Home or car repairs
• Replacement of personal property or food
• Temporary housing expenses

🧾 Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery.

🤝 The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case advocates work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referrals to obtain services or resources. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program, and it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation.

📸 Residents who experienced damage are encouraged to document damages, take photos, and report impacts to local officials as additional damage assessments continue.

⚠️ Please continue to use caution around damaged areas, downed power lines, flooded roadways, and debris. Never drive through flooded roads.

📝 The Disaster Assistance Request Form and instructions can be found on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website, homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance

🔗 For more information on disaster-related programs and resources available to Iowans, visit the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department website, Homelandsecurity.iowa.gov. To learn more about the types of disasters that can occur in Iowa and for preparedness information, visit ready.iowa.gov

Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management
City of Red Oak - Government
City of Stanton, Iowa
City of Elliott
Kcsi/Koak Radio
Red Oak Express
Villisca Review Stanton Viking
KMA Broadcasting

05/18/2026

🌪️ Tornado Watch until 10 PM Monday Night🌪️

With significant storm damage across the area from the past two days, now is the time to prepare for the possibility of additional severe weather tonight.
✔️ Move vehicles into covered areas if possible
✔️ Protect windows and secure loose outdoor items
✔️ Charge phones and have emergency supplies ready
✔️ Have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and warnings
Do not rely solely on outdoor warning sirens. Sirens are designed to alert people who are outdoors and may not be heard inside homes, especially overnight.
Stay weather aware and be ready to take shelter quickly if warnings are issued. See less

05/17/2026

🌪️ Tornado Watch until 11 PM Sunday Night🌪️

With significant storm damage across the area from the past two days, now is the time to prepare for the possibility of additional severe weather tonight.
✔️ Move vehicles into covered areas if possible
✔️ Protect windows and secure loose outdoor items
✔️ Charge phones and have emergency supplies ready
✔️ Have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and warnings

Do not rely solely on outdoor warning sirens. Sirens are designed to alert people who are outdoors and may not be heard inside homes, especially overnight.

Stay weather aware and be ready to take shelter quickly if warnings are issued.

05/16/2026

⚠️⚠️Montgomery County Storm Damage⚠️⚠️

Tree and power crews continue to work in the areas most affected by this evenings severe weather. Please avoid areas with downed lines and trees until the appropriate agency can clean them up.

Crews will be assessing damage through the night and into tomorrow morning. If in doubt, call 9-1-1