County Included In Federal Disaster Declaration
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Kosciusko County, along with 33 other counties, was declared a major disaster area by President George W. Bush on July 11.
The designation allows residents and business owners to apply for federal relief funds to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses from Independence Day storms, tornadoes and flooding.
Winona Lake was one of the county's hardest hit towns. Trees, loosened from the ground by 80 mph winds, and a torrent of rain crashed into 15 residences and six vehicles, according to police reports.
One uprooted tree brought a gas main with it, causing evacuation of the island. Another gas main broke later in the week. Other trees fell throughout the week. Cleanup efforts continue.
Financial assistance will be coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is now part of the Department of Homeland Security.
FEMA's Individuals and Households Program offers up to $25,000 in financial help.
The state also is eligible for FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which offers assistance to state and local government for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property for natural hazards.
To register individuals should call 800-621-3362 and give the declaration number FEMA-1476-DR.
The U.S. Small Business Administration also is offering low-interest loans through its Disaster Assistance Program.
According to SBA Disaster Area Director Michael C. Allen, homeowners should not automatically turn over their insurance settlement check to their mortgageholder to pay down their mortgage. Doing this without a written demand letter from the mortgage holder will have a significant negative impact on their ability to get low-interest disaster loan assistance from the SBA to repair the property.
SBA offers loans up to $200,000 to repair disaster damaged homes. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to replace personal property. Loans to businesses and nonprofit organizations up to $1.5 million also are available.
SBA loan inquiries must be made through FEMA. [[In-content Ad]]
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Kosciusko County, along with 33 other counties, was declared a major disaster area by President George W. Bush on July 11.
The designation allows residents and business owners to apply for federal relief funds to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses from Independence Day storms, tornadoes and flooding.
Winona Lake was one of the county's hardest hit towns. Trees, loosened from the ground by 80 mph winds, and a torrent of rain crashed into 15 residences and six vehicles, according to police reports.
One uprooted tree brought a gas main with it, causing evacuation of the island. Another gas main broke later in the week. Other trees fell throughout the week. Cleanup efforts continue.
Financial assistance will be coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is now part of the Department of Homeland Security.
FEMA's Individuals and Households Program offers up to $25,000 in financial help.
The state also is eligible for FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which offers assistance to state and local government for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property for natural hazards.
To register individuals should call 800-621-3362 and give the declaration number FEMA-1476-DR.
The U.S. Small Business Administration also is offering low-interest loans through its Disaster Assistance Program.
According to SBA Disaster Area Director Michael C. Allen, homeowners should not automatically turn over their insurance settlement check to their mortgageholder to pay down their mortgage. Doing this without a written demand letter from the mortgage holder will have a significant negative impact on their ability to get low-interest disaster loan assistance from the SBA to repair the property.
SBA offers loans up to $200,000 to repair disaster damaged homes. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to replace personal property. Loans to businesses and nonprofit organizations up to $1.5 million also are available.
SBA loan inquiries must be made through FEMA. [[In-content Ad]]