The amount of disaster relief information swirling around the county right now is staggering. Some of it is old news, some of it is rumor and some seems like the right information. Now that rain has come back to the region, swelling the rivers and forcing evacuation again, the situation could seem almost hopeless...but it is not.

Flooding occurred Tuesday at Horseshoe Bend, Tecumseh Bend, below Oakdale Dam, at Sleepy Hollow and Tippecanoe Ranch Estates, according to Carroll County Emergency Management Agency Director Dave McDowell. He said the county has not had an opportunity to develop an early warning system since the last flooding, but the sheriff's department stepped in to travel roads alerting residents of the flood danger.

Many in and out of the community are working to help those in need and provide quality information to property owners and those displaced by either flood.

President Bush declared Carroll County as a disaster area last week which then released funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help property owners rebuild, displaced renters find housing and government entities recover money spent to haul debris, repair roads and pay employees overtime.

FEMA opened an office in Delphi today, Wednesday, to see clients immediately. The Disaster Recovery Center is located at the Monroe St. Gym, 210 High St. Wednesday hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Thereafter the center will be open every day, including weekends, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.

The center is sponsored by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Melynda Petrie, FEMA spokesperson, said Comet Tuesday that flood victims need to register with FEMA prior to going to the disaster recovery center. She said registration can be made by calling (800) 621-3362 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or by going online at www.fema.gov.

Petrie recommended victims have pertinent information ready when they make the call or visit the Web site. Victims should give their legal name, current telephone number and social security number. They should have a list of damages ready, the name of their insurance carrier and their policy number. Being able to provide bank account coding for direct deposit will shorten the time fi- nancial assistance is received she said.

Petrie said when a victim registers, they will be given a registration number. That number will be useful when visiting the disaster recovery center. After visiting the center, victims will be contacted to arrange for a FEMA inspection of their property and belongings. In most cases, financial assistance will arrive in seven to 10 days after the inspection according to Petrie.

FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Smith recommended in a press release victims register with FEMA as soon as possible.

"Don't prejudge your eligibility," Smith said. "If you think you have damage related to the storm, register with FEMA. Even if you don't have all the necessary information or it was lost in the flooding. It's important that all residents get the assistance available to them as quickly as possible."

Congressman Joe Donnelly led the charge to expedite assistance to Carroll County first by meeting with local leaders and residents, then working with the Gov. Mitch Daniels to draft a request for a disaster declaration from President George Bush and finally by taking the lead in the congressional delegation to address the issue with the president requesting quick and positive action. Donnelly told the Comet Tuesday he would stay in contact with the residents of Carroll County. He emphasized his Logansport office staff is ready to assist those who need help to overcome barriers and get the help they need. That phone number is (574) 753-2671. Residents can visit Donnelly's Web site at www.donnelly.house.gov for additional flood-related information.

"We're here to serve the people of Carroll County," Donnelly said. "Whatever people need, we will help them. If they need a meeting with FEMA and can't get that set up, I want them to call my office and we will help them get through this."