07/16/2024
If you need storage for the clean up let us know we also partner with all the restoration companies in the metro if needed.
CURRENT UPDATE: July 22, 2024 at 3:36 PM: Last Monday, Urbandale experienced a tornado in the southeastern portion of our community. While electrical power has been restored, City crews continue to work in the area focusing efforts on debris collection. The most current information can be found at: https://www.urbandale.org/weather
***Park Trees and Reforestation: How You Can Help***
Last week's storm and tornado caused significant damage to Urbandale's neighborhoods and parks. Five parks, primarily located on the eastern side of our community, have been particularly hard hit, resulting in a substantial loss of mature trees. The City of Urbandale will be replanting trees at a two-to-one ratio. This means for every tree lost, we will plant two new ones. However, this ambitious goal requires support from our community. If you are looking for ways to contribute to this reforestation effort, we invite you to donate to the Tree Reforestation Fund through Friends of the Park. Your generous donations will directly support the purchase and planting of new trees, helping to restore the beauty and health of our parks. Learn more at www.ubandale.org/trees
***Rebuilding After a Tornado: Will I Need a Permit?***
As residents and their contractors begin the process of rebuilding after the recent tornado, the Building Department would like to clarify when permits are required. Permits can be applied for via the permit portal at www.urbandale.org/permitportal. Questions? Give us a call at 515-278-3935. To provide assistance to residents during the rebuilding process, the City will be waiving permit fees related to storm repairs in the area south of Douglas Avenue and East of 86th Street. Find some common repairs due to tornado storm damage and information on building permits here: www.Urbandale.org/weather
***Outdoor Warning Sirens***
Storm sirens in Urbandale are part of a regional system designed to activate ahead of severe storms which can produce high winds or tornados. Sirens are activated automatically when the National Weather Service issues a warning for this area. Storm sirens are activated at the same time you would be receiving an alert on your cellular phone, weather app, weather radio or local broadcast television station. Outdoor warning sirens are just one part of a network designed to notify as many people as possible. In the case of last week's storm, the cell which produced the tornado developed rapidly and was on the ground before any warning was able to be issued. Urbandale's storm sirens did activate at the same time as all the other alerting systems. But unfortunately, nature can sometimes be quicker than our technology designed to track it. Learn more about our outdoor warning sirens.
***Volunteer by Calling 2-1-1***
Do you need help, or you want to help, but don’t know exactly what kind of assistance is available or needed? 211 can assist by helping clarify your personal situation and then utilize an extensive up-to-date database to determine the best resource(s) for you. 211 is where you go when you don’t know where to turn for help, acting as a single point of contact to thousands of social service programs. Learn more at: https://211iowa.org/
***Debris Collection Information***
Storm debris collection is ongoing. Separate tree debris from other debris (such as shingles, siding, and fencing). Mixed debris will not be collected. If you live east of 86th Street and south of Douglas Avenue, there is no need to call our office to confirm debris collection. Crews will be driving through and checking this area regularly to pick up debris as needed. However, if you live west of 86th Street or north of Douglas Avenue, please contact our office to request storm debris collection (email: [email protected] or phone: 515-278-3950). Vegetative debris will be collected first. Tree branches must be placed on City right-of-way parallel to the curb. The placement of branches in the same direction as the street and/or sidewalk allows mechanical equipment to load the material efficiently and minimize damage to the right-of-way. Branches cannot exceed 18 inches in diameter and/or 12 feet in length. Tree branches should not be placed near fire hydrants, mailboxes, utilities, or any other item in the right-of-way which could be damaged by equipment during the collection. No tree material from work done by private contractors should be placed on the right-of-way for collection. Contractors are required to haul away any tree debris that is a result of their work. Open burning of storm debris is not permitted in the city.
***Individual Assistance Grant Program***
Governor Reynolds has issued a proclamation activating the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program. Eligible households may receive up to $5,000 for qualifying items, including things like temporary housing, food assistance, personal property, and home repair. Learn more here: https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/emergency-management/recent-disaster-information/iowa-disaster-assistance/
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Past Update: Wednesday, July 17 at 10:20 AM: Governor Reynolds has issued a proclamation activating the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program. Eligible households may receive up to $5,000 for qualifying items, including things like temporary housing, food assistance, personal property, and home repair. Learn more here: https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/emergency-management/recent-disaster-information/iowa-disaster-assistance/
The Urbandale Public Library continues to be open and available for anyone needing to charge electronic devices, access the internet, or for cooling down during hot weather. We encourage those without power to utilize this resource.
Open burning of storm debris is not permitted in the city. Storm debris collection is ongoing. Please place all debris at the curb by the end of the day on Sunday, July 21. See past updates below for detailed information about collection procedures.
Please continue to avoid downed powerlines. MidAmerican Energy is working diligently to restore electricity as quickly as possible. Visit the website at: https://www.midamericanenergy.com/OutageWatch.
For further updates and information, please visit our Alert Center: www.urbandale.org/weather.
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Past Update: Tuesday, July 16 at 11:20 AM: The City of Urbandale is committed to providing support and assistance to all affected residents. The Urbandale Public Library is open and available for anyone needing to charge electronic devices, access the internet, or for cooling down during hot weather. We encourage those without power to utilize this resource.
Storm Debris Collection:
• Storm debris collection will begin immediately. Please place all debris at the curb by the end of the day on Sunday, July 21.
• Separate tree debris from other debris (such as shingles, siding, and fencing). Mixed debris will not be collected.
• If you live east of 86th Street and south of Douglas Avenue, there is no need to call our office to confirm debris collection. Crews will be driving through and checking this area regularly to pick up debris as needed. However, if you live west of 86th Street or north of Douglas Avenue, please contact our office to request storm debris collection (email: [email protected] or phone: 515-278-3950).
• Vegetative debris will be collected first. Tree branches must be placed on City right-of-way parallel to the curb. The placement of branches in the same direction as the street and/or sidewalk allows mechanical equipment to load the material efficiently and minimize damage to the right-of-way. Branches cannot exceed 18 inches in diameter and/or 12 feet in length. Tree branches should not be placed near fire hydrants, mailboxes, utilities, or any other item in the right-of-way which could be damaged by equipment during the collection.
• No tree material from work done by private contractors should be placed on the right-of-way for collection. Contractors are required to haul away any tree debris that is a result of their work.
Please avoid downed powerlines. For updates on power restoration, please contact MidAmerican Energy directly. They are working diligently to restore electricity as quickly as possible. Visit the website at: https://www.midamericanenergy.com/OutageWatch.
For further updates and information, please visit our Alert Center: www.urbandale.org/weather.
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Past Update: Monday, July 15 at 9:10 PM: The City of Urbandale has initiated a response to the significant weather event that impacted the southeastern portion of the city earlier today. Initial surveys have revealed several streets blocked by downed power lines and trees. City crews are actively working to clear debris and reopen these blocked streets. Community members are urged to avoid the southeast portion of Urbandale to allow crews to work efficiently and safely.
Important Information for Residents:
• Avoid Downed Power Lines: Please stay away from downed power lines. For updates on power restoration, contact MidAmerican Energy directly. They are working diligently to restore electricity as quickly as possible. Visit their Outage Watch website: https://www.midamericanenergy.com/OutageWatch
• Natural Gas Safety: If you smell natural gas, evacuate the structure immediately and call 9-1-1.
• Debris Collection: Information regarding curbside collection of storm-related debris will be shared in a future update. Please keep vegetative debris and construction debris separated at the curb for easier collection.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this time. More information will be posted as it becomes available. For updates, visit www.urbandale.org/weather
Past Update: Tuesday, July 15 at 8:21 PM: Our initial survey has revealed several streets blocked by downed power lines and trees. The City has initiated their response and is actively working to clear debris and reopen blocked streets. Please avoid the southeast portion of Urbandale. Information regarding curbside collection of storm-related damage will be shared in a future post. Please keep vegetative debris and construction debris separated.
Please avoid downed powerlines. For updates on power restoration, please contact MidAmerican Energy directly. They are working diligently to restore electricity as quickly as possible. Visit the website at: https://www.midamericanenergy.com/OutageWatch
If you smell natural gas please evacuate the structure immediately and call 9-1-1.
Information regarding storm debris collection will be shared in a future post. We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this time. https://www.urbandale.org/weather
Past update: At about 5:40 PM on Monday, July 15 the City of Urbandale experienced a significant weather event in the southeastern portion of Urbandale. Crews are out in the affected areas. Please avoid the area east of 86th Street and south of Douglas Avenue as crews continue work in the affected areas. More information will be posted as it becomes available. https://www.urbandale.org/weather
