Disaster Declaration Expanded To Include 10 Additional Counties 

Release Date: February 16, 2005
Release Number: 1573-025

» More Information on Indiana Severe Winter Storms and Flooding

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Ten additional counties have been added to the disaster declaration for public assistance to include aid for local governments affected by the severe winter storms and flooding that occurred between January 1 and February 11 in Indiana, federal officials announced today.

The disaster-designated counties are: Daviess, Franklin, Gibson, Greene, Huntington, Jefferson, Lawrence, Martin, Pike, and Posey.

“The additional assistance was approved following a review of damage data gathered by federal and state disaster recovery officials,” said Ron Sherman, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) federal coordinating officer for the disaster.

Under the original declaration issued by President Bush on January 21, nine of the ten counties were previously designated for assistance for individuals, families and business owners. Jefferson County is designated for public assistance only.

“We not only want to help meet the recovery needs of devastated families and businesses,” said Phil Roberts, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) state coordinating officer for the disaster “we want to ensure that the vital community services they depend on are restored as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Under the expanded assistance affected local governments in the ten counties are eligible to apply for federal funds to pay 75 percent of the approved cost for debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities.

Procedures for requesting the assistance will be explained at a series of applicant briefings for local officials at locations to be announced shortly by state and federal disaster officials

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and effectively manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Thursday, 17-Feb-2005 09:09:54