17 Ind. Counties Designated for Public Assistance

Disaster assistance for 17 counties to help local governments rebuild public property damaged by the severe winter storms and flooding that began Jan. 1 in Indiana has been approved, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced.

Affected local governments are now eligible to apply for federal funds to pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities. The counties are Adams, Blackford, Boone, Clinton, Delaware, Fountain, Grant, Henry, Howard, Jay, Madison, Montgomery, Randolph, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Wayne, and Warren.

“The assistance was approved following a review of damage data gathered by federal and state disaster recovery officials, said Ron Sherman, FEMA federal coordinating officer for the disaster. “Ensuring that vital community services are restored as quickly as possible is part of our continuing commitment to help Hoosiers achieve a full and lasting recovery.”

The funds were authorized under the major disaster declaration issued by President Bush on Jan. 21 and made available through FEMA’s public assistance (infrastructure) program for state and local governments. Certain private nonprofit groups that operate and maintain utility, emergency, medical, fire protection or other critical services of a governmental nature may also be qualified for assistance.

“Procedures for requesting the infrastructure assistance will be explained at a series of applicant briefings for local officials at a location to be announced shortly by state and federal disaster officials” said Phil Roberts, state coordinating officer for the disaster.