Note to editors: The governor's letter to the President is attached below.
INDIANAPOLIS (September 20, 2008) - Governor Mitch Daniels today sent a letter to President George W. Bush to formally request federal individual assistance for Hoosiers in Lake, LaPorte and Porter counties affected by severe flooding that began September 12.
The governor is seeking a federal disaster declaration that would qualify residents for individual assistance. Specifically, he has requested the Individual Assistance programs including the Individual and Household Program, Disaster Housing, Other Needs Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, and US Small Business Administration Disaster Loans for Lake, LaPorte and Porter Counties.
Daniels indicated further damage may be identified and reserved the right to request the public assistance program when damage to the public infrastructure is better understood. Additional counties may also be added as part of the major disaster determination as damage assessments are completed. Other counties that have suffered severe damage include Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Floyd, Jasper, Jefferson, Jennings, Harrison, Martin, Newton, Perry, Scott, Spencer and Switzerland.
Among damage assessment findings already completed:
- More than 1000 primary residences have sustained damage and over 300 sustaining major damage or were destroyed.
- Main electric transmission lines have been toppled.
- Thirteen Emergency Services Radio Towers were impacted by wind.
- Major highways have been impassable because of flooding.
The governor is seeking federal assistance following damage that occurred in the northwest and southern parts of the state from strong winds and flooding caused by remnants of Hurricane Ike.
A copy of the governor's letter to the President is attached.
Media contact: John Erickson, IDHS, 317/232-4214, jerickson@idhs.in.gov Media contact: Jane Jankowski, Office of the Governor, 317/232-1622, jjankowski@gov.in.gov
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