FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hershman: Hoosiers can’t afford to wait for relief after flooding
STATEHOUSE – Record levels of rising waters in Northern Indiana may warrant federal aid, but Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Wheatfield) said Hoosiers can’t afford to wait for assistance.
“There are steps necessary to secure federal disaster funds and they take time – time the people affected by this disaster don’t have. Because things have been changing minute by minute, we must do everything we can for these victims now.”
To obtain federal aid Gov. Daniels must make the request for a federal disaster to be declared after preliminary damage assessment figures are compiled by Indiana Department of Homeland Security (INDHS) and Federal Environmental Management Agency (FEMA). If a disaster “exceeds the capacity of the state to respond” federal assistance will be granted by the president.
While local and government and state officials work to secure aid there are things affected residents can do.
Hershman offers the following tips as provided by the INDHS:
Flood Insurance Claim
- After a flood, it is important to begin the flood insurance claims process as soon as possible. The sooner your claim is filed, the sooner you will receive your check to begin rebuilding;
- Have the following information with you when you place your call: (1) the name of your insurance company (2) your policy number; and (3) a telephone number/e-mail address where you can be reached;
- Take photos of any water in the house and damaged personal property and make a list of damaged or lost items and include their age and value where possible. If possible, supply receipts for those lost items to the adjuster. Officials may require disposal of damaged items. If so, keep a swatch or other sample of the items for the adjuster;
- If you have damage estimates prepared by a contractor(s), provide them to the adjuster since they will be considered in the preparation of your repair estimate.
- Call your insurance company if an adjuster hasn’t been assigned to you within several days.
Cleanup and safety
- Check for structural damage before re-entering your home. Don't go in if there is a chance of the building collapsing; and
- Boil water for drinking and food preparation until local authorities declare your water supply to be safe. Throw away food that has come in contact with floodwaters.
- Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.
- Prevent mold and remove wet contents immediately. Wet carpeting, furniture, bedding and any other items holding moisture or water inside the building can develop mold within 24 to 48 hours. If an item has been wet for less than 48 hours, help control mold growth by cleaning with a phenolic or pine oil cleaner (non-ammonia detergent, soap or commercial cleaner) and disinfecting with a 10 percent bleach solution (1 1/2 cups of bleach in a gallon of water). Items should then be completely dried and monitored for several days for any fungal growth and odors. If any mold develops, throw the item away.
- Thoroughly dry out the building's interior. Portable dehumidifiers are useful, and rental costs may be covered under your flood policy. An air conditioner can also be used to start the drying-out process.
- If the walls are damaged, take photographs of the baseboard. Then remove the baseboard. Knock small holes at floor level in the drywall, between the wall studs. This will permit moisture trapped behind the drywall to seep out and start drying.
- Have your furnace checked for damage. Your water heater may work, but if the floodwater covered part or the entire tank, the insulation between the walls may be damaged. Obtain an estimate to replace the damaged furnace and water heater.
- Contact your local building inspections or planning office or county clerk's office to get more information on local building requirements before repairing your structure. If you can't find a local contact, call your state National Flood Insurance Program coordinator. Contact information can be found at www.floods.org/statepocs/stcoor.asp
“On behalf of those without flood insurance I am hopeful FEMA and the federal government will act quickly to provide disaster relief funds,” Hershman said.
Contact information for flood victims
The Carroll County Assessor's Office
-Flood victims seeking a property reassessment
765-564-3444
Courthouse, 101 W. Main St., Delphi.
In White County
-To report damages
Monticello –Annex Building
315 N. Illinois Street
FEMA flood insurance
-Have policy number available
800-767-4341
Indiana Department of Homeland Security
-To obtain form to help document damage to help secure a declaration of a State of Emegency.
Contact county emergency management officials
For more helpful tips visit www.floodsmart.gov
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Hershman represents Senate District 7, which includes, Carroll, Clinton, Howard, Jasper, Tippecanoe and White counties.
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