Residents and business owners who sustained losses in those counties can begin applying for assistance now by registering online at www.fema.gov/assistance or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers are available 24 hours a day.

The state opened a one-stop shop Wednesday in Sellersburg that helps connect tornado victims with state services, such as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Insurance, and the Family and Social Services Administration. The center is located on the first floor of Ogle Hall at the Ivy Tech campus in Sellersburg (I-65 Exit 9) and is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency also will provide assistance to those applying for federal assistance at the Sellersburg site.

The state’s disaster recovery website may be accessed at www.emergency.in.gov.

Governor requests federal assistance for six counties in southern Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mitch Daniels Thursday (March 8) requested federal assistance for Hoosiers devastated by tornadoes and severe storms that affected parts of southern Indiana on Feb. 29 and March 2.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conducted joint preliminary damage assessments this week.

In a letter to President Barack Obama, the governor asked that a major disaster be declared for Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington counties. Last weekend, the governor declared a disaster emergency for those counties, plus Gibson, Harrison, Posey, Shelby and Vanderburgh counties. The federal disaster request does not currently include Gibson, Harrison, Posey, Shelby and Vanderburgh counties because damages there are less extensive than previously reported.

In his letter to the president, the governor said state and local officials have identified severe damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure in the affected areas. The preliminary assessment determined that 187 primary residences were destroyed and 88 received major damage in Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington counties.

The governor specifically has requested implementation of the Individual Assistance Programs, which can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. If FEMA individual assistance is granted, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans also will be available.

The request indicated that further damage may be identified and the governor reserved the right to request assistance for additional counties. It is also possible the governor could amend the state’s request to ask for public assistance, once damage to public infrastructure is known. If granted, such assistance would provide reimbursement for state and local expenses.

Here is a link to the governor’s letter to President Obama: http://www.in.gov/gov/files/Press/030812letter.pdf

Governor declares disaster emergency in 11 counties

 INDIANAPOLIS  – Governor Mitch Daniels declared a disaster emergency Monday (March 5) in 11 southern Indiana counties damaged by severe storms and tornados Friday (March 2).

Executive Order 12-01 was issued Sunday declaring a disaster emergency in Clark, Gibson, Harrison, Jefferson, Posey, Ripley, Scott, Shelby, Vanderburgh, Warrick and Washington counties. 

Additionally, the governor issued Executive Order 12-02 giving a waiver of hours of service regulations relating to motor carriers and drivers transporting utility poles.

The Department of Homeland Security is conducting a full damage assessment before making a recommendation to the governor about a request for federal assistance.

Gov. Daniels toured the storm-stricken areas of the state Saturday morning to survey the damage and meet with victims and emergency responders.

The governor issued the following statement Friday evening (March 2) following the storms:

“Once again Mother Nature has dealt harshly with Indiana. Our every thought is with those we’ve lost and those who have suffered. We’ve learned so much and improved so much in disaster preparedness, warning systems and responder communications but still we are no match for Mother Nature at her worst. We’re hopeful that we know the full extent of the damage but it will be tomorrow before we can give a final report with any confidence.”