The victims of the July 17 Vinton tornado heard two sets of numbers during a meeting on Friday.

The first set of numbers was encouraging – the phone numbers of the several agencies and organizations working together to help the victims recover.

The second set of numbers, however, is troubling: The number of households displaced by the storm (estimated at 44) is four times the number of available rental units local officials have been able to identify at this time.

Nearly 100 people, including officials from the City of Vinton, Vinton-Shellsburg Schools, the Red Cross, Salvation Army and the Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition, the Vinton Area Ministerial Association and storm victims, attended the meeting at the high school.

Benton County Emergency Management Director Scott Hansen thanked the affected families for their patience.

“I don't have a clue what you are going through,” said Hansen. “But we're all in this together.”

Hansen and others presented information about applying for assistance from both the State of Iowa and the local Coalition.

“Even if you think you don't need help now, fill out an application,” said Hansen, telling the victims that if their situation changes and they do find themselves in need of assistance, applying now will help speed things along.

Several local residents have already begun collecting items to offer those families.

What Hansen said he can't promise to speed along, however, is the availability of housing.

Hansen and others in the Coalition spent several days compiling a list of rental property owners and available units within Benton County. The list they handed out on Friday includes 47 owners of rental properties, but only approximately 10 units that are currently available. Approximately four houses and six apartments are available now, according to that list.

Hansen said he and the other local leaders are exploring every possible housing option, including non-traditional options. He has inquired about the availability of dorm space at the Iowa Braille School/AmeriCorps campus, but said that is not an option.

Encouraging brain-storming, Hansen told the crowd that he would be willing to listen to any suggestion that might help some of those 40+ families find a home.

Hansen gave out a phone number for the coalition: 319-241-5121, and told those who survived the tornado “Don't be bashful about asking for help.”

VS Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock spoke to the families, offering guidance to those who would like to continue sending their children to V-S schools, regardless of whether or not they can remain in Vinton.

Hansen had thanked Hainstock for making VS facilities and staff available as soon as the storm ended; he told the crowd that he called her at 5:30 on Sunday morning, and she answered the call from New York and told him the school would do whatever he needed. He also praised the Red Cross and Salvation Army for working well, and working together, to help families.

Hansen reminded the tornado survivors that while the five days that passed between the tornado and that meeting may seem like forever, the journey has just begun and will be long.

Bonnie Peacock, the manager of the Imperial Apartments for Karr Properties, received a loud ovation from the residents for her effort to help them throughout the past week. She said it's too soon to determine what will happen with the current building, or any replacement projects.

Hansen told the crowd that information updates would continue to come through Vinton Today and local newspapers, but also that information on printed sheets would be available at the Benton County Social Services office in the Governor Sherman Building at 303 1st Avenue.