Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Washington - U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh today announced that 23 additional counties, including Kosciusko, have been included in the federal disaster declaration for Indiana following the severe winter storms and rain that caused significant flooding in numerous Indiana communities this winter.
Concerned with the damage to Hoosier homes, public facilities and infrastructure, Bayh, along with Sen. Lugar, wrote to President Bush earlier this month urging him to act quickly so the hundreds of Hoosiers without homes and electricity could begin receiving aid to rebuild their homes and businesses.
"The storms that hit Indiana this winter left a wide path of destruction in their wake that affected Hoosiers across the state," Bayh said. "It's important to make sure all Hoosiers impacted by the snow, ice and flooding have the resources they need to repair their homes and businesses, and I will continue working with Sen. Lugar and Gov. Daniels to make sure they do."
U.S. Rep. Mark Souder also said the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency has added Kosciusko County to the list of designated counties that will be eligible for federal funds. Souder's staff had worked with Daniels' staff to ensure that the president's disaster declaration would be amended.
Bush originally declared a major disaster for the state Jan. 21 as a result of severe winter storms and flooding that began Jan. 1. Because of today's action amending the Jan. 21 declaration, Kosciusko County is now eligible for individual assistance (assistance to families and individuals).
Individual assistance programs may include:
• Low-interest loans
• Assistance for individuals and households
• Veterans' benefits
• Tax refunds
• Excise tax relief
• Unemployment benefits
• Crisis counseling and
• Free legal counseling.
The toll-free application number for disaster victims is: 800-621-FEMA (TTY: 800-462-7585).
The following counties have been added to the 64 counties originally declared major disaster areas: Allen, Adams, Dearborn, Dekalb, Elkhart, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Jasper, Kosciusko, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Newton, Noble, Porter, Pulaski, Ripley, Rush, St. Joseph, Starke, Union, Wayne and Whitley. These counties represent the second update to the original list of counties approved for disaster aid.
