The Indiana Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday that President Barack Obama approved federal assistance for homeowners', renters' and business property damaged in Kosciusko and 12 other counties by flooding and severe weather that occurred March 8-14.Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock said hundreds of area homes were damaged in flooding that week. Severe storms hit Northern Indiana March 8, spawning three tornadoes, high winds and heavy rainfall. In some areas, almost 8 inches or rain fell during a 72-hour period. The heavy rain on frozen and partially frozen ground led to flooding conditions throughout the area.
The other counties included in the federal declaration are Allen, Carroll, DeKalb, Fulton, Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Noble, Pulaski, White and Whitley.
Federal Emergency Management Agency individual assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Rock said homeowners whose permanent residence is Kosciusko County are eligible to apply for the federal assistance.
"Even if they don't live in the county all year long, they are still eligible if Kosciusko County is their permanent residence," he said.
Businesses also can qualify for aid. Rock said not only businesses that suffered damage from the weather, but also those whose business was negatively impacted by the disaster. Rock said business owners will have to demonstrate a loss of business in connection with the disaster in order to receive assistance.
Federal funding also is available to the state for hazard mitigation - measures taken to make the state more prepared for future disasters. Rock said Kosciusko County is working on its own hazard mitigation plan. When the plan is completed, he said, the county can apply to the state for some of the federal money allocated for hazard mitigation.
Residents and business owners can begin applying for FEMA assistance immediately by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 (for the hearing and speech impaired). The toll-free telephone numbers are available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven day a week.
Local taxing units also suffered damage during the severe weather. Rock said the state is still collecting data from counties calculating the amount of damage done by the weather. He said, if the damage is enough, public assistance for local governments and other taxing units may be available in the near future.
