Rock Urges Reporting Of Flooded Property
February 26, 2018 at 5:49 p.m.
By Dan [email protected]
That’s the word from Ed Rock, Kosciusko County’s emergency management director.
Kosciusko County was south and east of the hardest hit flooding areas, but the extent of the flooding – much of which has not receded – likely would qualify the county for federal assistance.
Whether the county qualifies will come down to whether people report the damage.
Rock said he thinks there are enough flood-damaged properties to qualify for federal assistance, but added, “We’re going to need a whole lot more than what we currently have” to qualify
“Report, report, report,” Rock echoed this morning as the key for any chance the county might have toward gaining status and additional government support.
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Gov. Eric J. Holcomb on Saturday issued a disaster emergency for 11 Indiana counties in response to widespread flooding and infrastructure damage caused by sustained heavy rainfall. Those include Carroll, Dearborn, Elkhart, Fulton, Lake, Marshall, Perry, St. Joseph, Starke, Switzerland and White counties – generally areas north and west of Kosciusko County.
The governor’s announcement also pointed out that the disaster declaration may be expanded to include other counties in the days ahead.
The disaster declaration means the state Department of Homeland Security can take necessary actions to provide expanded emergency services and is a step the state is required to take to request assistance from the federal government.
Property owners with flood damage are urged to file a report through IN.gov/dhs.
Much of the worst flooding in Kosciusko County is in the northern parts and along the lakes that feed into the Tippecanoe River, Rock said.
Sunset Drive in Warsaw, which is prone to flooding, remained closed, and several homes appeared to be surrounded by water this morning.
Rock said he believes the river has all but crested, but points out it will take time for waters to recede.
He also expects the county could have significant road damage that will only be apparent after the standing water is gone.
The danger of motorists traveling through water-covered roads continues, and Rock said damage to the roads tends to include large holes that can damage vehicles.
He said 10 homes have been reported, but many more will be needed if the county is to quality.
Of the 10 homes, Rock said he is under the impression one was destroyed, five sustained major damage and four have marginal damage.
The county must document a certain amount of damage that is uninsured to be declared a flood emergency, Rock said.
Complicating the process is determining whether the property is a year-round home.
“Summer homes are not considered as part of a declaration,” Rock said. “Now you can start seeing where I?am in critical shape as far as knowing which is which.”
He said there is a series of questions that determine whether the home is considered year-round.
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That’s the word from Ed Rock, Kosciusko County’s emergency management director.
Kosciusko County was south and east of the hardest hit flooding areas, but the extent of the flooding – much of which has not receded – likely would qualify the county for federal assistance.
Whether the county qualifies will come down to whether people report the damage.
Rock said he thinks there are enough flood-damaged properties to qualify for federal assistance, but added, “We’re going to need a whole lot more than what we currently have” to qualify
“Report, report, report,” Rock echoed this morning as the key for any chance the county might have toward gaining status and additional government support.
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Gov. Eric J. Holcomb on Saturday issued a disaster emergency for 11 Indiana counties in response to widespread flooding and infrastructure damage caused by sustained heavy rainfall. Those include Carroll, Dearborn, Elkhart, Fulton, Lake, Marshall, Perry, St. Joseph, Starke, Switzerland and White counties – generally areas north and west of Kosciusko County.
The governor’s announcement also pointed out that the disaster declaration may be expanded to include other counties in the days ahead.
The disaster declaration means the state Department of Homeland Security can take necessary actions to provide expanded emergency services and is a step the state is required to take to request assistance from the federal government.
Property owners with flood damage are urged to file a report through IN.gov/dhs.
Much of the worst flooding in Kosciusko County is in the northern parts and along the lakes that feed into the Tippecanoe River, Rock said.
Sunset Drive in Warsaw, which is prone to flooding, remained closed, and several homes appeared to be surrounded by water this morning.
Rock said he believes the river has all but crested, but points out it will take time for waters to recede.
He also expects the county could have significant road damage that will only be apparent after the standing water is gone.
The danger of motorists traveling through water-covered roads continues, and Rock said damage to the roads tends to include large holes that can damage vehicles.
He said 10 homes have been reported, but many more will be needed if the county is to quality.
Of the 10 homes, Rock said he is under the impression one was destroyed, five sustained major damage and four have marginal damage.
The county must document a certain amount of damage that is uninsured to be declared a flood emergency, Rock said.
Complicating the process is determining whether the property is a year-round home.
“Summer homes are not considered as part of a declaration,” Rock said. “Now you can start seeing where I?am in critical shape as far as knowing which is which.”
He said there is a series of questions that determine whether the home is considered year-round.
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