Today the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will be at the disaster recovery center in Greenfield.
With recent severe storms, havoc has been wreaked on homes across the state. This includes damages to priceless pictures, books, family treasures and heirlooms. These items may be able to be saved though, and FEMA preservation professionals will be available to help starting today. These specialists will be at Nodaway Valley Elementary School from 9am to 5pm today, and ask that damaged items not be brought in to keep from accidentally damaging them further in transit.
Instead, take pictures of the items you would like advice on. For those unable to attend the event, there is an online FEMA resource available at the link in this story online. A list of ways individuals can try to preserve their items on their own can also be found at this link.
If your prized possessions have been in contact with sewage or any chemicals, you will need professional help.
Call IMALERT Hotline (Iowa Museums, Archives and Libraries Emergency Response Team) at 319-384-3673. They accept calls from members of the public and can provide advice and suggest a conservator who can help you.
Other sources of help include the Ford Conservation Center in Omaha, 402-595-1180, and the Midwest Art Conservation Center in Minneapolis at 612-870-3120.
Gentle air-drying indoors is best for all your treasured belongings. Hair dryers, irons, ovens and prolonged exposure to sunlight will do irreversible damage. Increase indoor airflow with fans, open windows, air conditioners and dehumidifiers.
Use great caution in handling your heirlooms, which can be especially fragile when wet.
Separate damp materials; remove the contents from drawers; take photographs out of damp albums; remove paintings and prints from frames, place paper towels between the pages of wet books.
Gently loosen dirt and debris on fragile objects with soft brushes and cloths. Avoid rubbing, which can grind in the dirt.
Clean photographs by rinsing them carefully in clean water. Air-dry photos on a plastic mesh screen or paper towel, or by hanging them by the corner with plastic clothespins. Don’t let the image touch any other surfaces as it dries.
You may not be able to save everything, so focus on what’s most important to you, whether for historic, monetary or sentimental reasons.