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Disaster Information

August 2026 Disaster Assistance & Recovery

Putnam County residents affected by the August 2026 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding may now be eligible for federal disaster assistance.

As of September 25, 2026, Putnam County has been added to the counties eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance. Homeowners and renters with uninsured or underinsured damage to their primary residence, personal property losses, or other disaster-related emergency needs may apply for assistance.

Important Deadline

The deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance is October 25, 2026.

Apply for FEMA Assistance

Check Your FEMA Application

Indiana August 2026 Disaster Information

Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance

Putnam County homeowners and renters with disaster-related losses from the August 2026 storms may now apply for FEMA Individual Assistance.

FEMA assistance may help eligible survivors with serious needs, temporary housing, basic home repairs, personal property losses and certain other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or another source.

FEMA assistance is not a replacement for insurance. If you have insurance, you should file a claim with your insurance company and also apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA cannot provide assistance for losses already covered by insurance, but assistance may be available for eligible uninsured or underinsured losses.

How to Apply

Online: DisasterAssistance.gov
Phone: 800-621-3362

Registration Intake Video Registration Intake Video
Don’t Wait. Apply Now Don’t Wait. Apply Now

Have Insurance? FEMA Help May Still Be Available

Do not assume that having homeowners or renters insurance means you cannot receive FEMA assistance.

FEMA cannot pay for disaster-related costs already covered by insurance. However, you may still be eligible for assistance for certain losses or expenses that your insurance does not cover.

After receiving your insurance settlement or denial, provide that information to FEMA so your application can continue to be processed.

If more than 30 days have passed since you filed your insurance claim and you have not received a settlement, contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. FEMA advises that assistance may be available for immediate needs when insurance benefits have been delayed 30 days or more through no fault of the applicant.

FEMA Have Insurance Help is Still Available infographic explaining insurance settlement, denial and unmet-needs documentation.

Understanding Your FEMA Letter

Read every letter you receive from FEMA carefully.

After you apply, FEMA will send you a letter explaining the status of your application. Your letter may explain:

  • The amount of assistance FEMA may provide
  • How disaster assistance funds may be used
  • Additional information or documentation FEMA needs
  • The status of your application
  • How to appeal a FEMA decision

A FEMA decision saying you are not currently eligible for assistance does not necessarily mean the process is over. FEMA may need additional documentation or information before your application can move forward.

Common Reasons an Application May Not Be Approved

There are several reasons FEMA may need additional information or may initially determine that an applicant is not eligible. Review your FEMA letter carefully to determine what information FEMA needs from you.

FEMA infographic showing common reasons disaster assistance applications may not be approved.

Don't Miss FEMA's Phone Call

After you apply, a FEMA inspector may call you to schedule an appointment.

The inspector's phone number may be from outside Indiana or may appear as "unavailable" on caller ID.

Be sure to answer the call or return the call. FEMA makes several attempts to contact applicants. If FEMA cannot reach you to schedule an inspection, your application cannot move forward until you contact FEMA and confirm your information and need for assistance.

FEMA Helpline: 800-621-3362

Return Phone Calls Return Phone Calls

If You Can't Live in Your Home

If your primary residence was damaged and you cannot safely live there, tell FEMA about your housing needs when you apply.

Depending on your circumstances and eligibility, FEMA housing assistance may include:

Displacement Assistance
A one-time payment that may help with immediate housing needs while you look for temporary housing.

Lodging Expense Reimbursement
May reimburse certain emergency hotel or motel expenses following displacement from your home.

Rental Assistance
May help homeowners or renters pay for temporary housing while repairs are made or another permanent housing solution is identified.

Home Repair Assistance
May help eligible homeowners repair disaster-related damage necessary to make their primary residence safe, clean, accessible and livable.

Furnace and HVAC Furnace and HVAC

Sending Documents to FEMA

The Fastest Way to Send Documents

FEMA recommends uploading documents through your DisasterAssistance.gov account. Your online account also keeps a record of the documents you submitted and when they were submitted.

Uploading Documents Online

  1. Visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
  2. Select Check Status.
  3. Log in or create your online account.
  4. Select the Correspondence tab.
  5. Select Upload Center.
  6. Follow the instructions to upload your documents.

Include This Information on Your Documents

Make sure documents include:

  • Your name
  • Last four digits of your Social Security number
  • FEMA application number
  • FEMA disaster number: DR-4933-IN

Other Ways to Send Documents

Mail:
FEMA
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

Fax:
800-827-8112
A cover sheet is required.

Appealing a FEMA Decision

You Have the Right to Appeal

If you disagree with FEMA's decision regarding your Individual Assistance application, you may appeal.

Your appeal must generally be submitted within 60 days of the date on your FEMA decision letter.

Before submitting an appeal, read your entire FEMA decision letter. Your application may simply be missing information or documentation.

Supporting documentation may include items such as:

  • Insurance settlement or denial information
  • Proof that the damaged property was your primary residence
  • Proof of ownership
  • Other documentation requested by FEMA

Important

Write your FEMA application number and DR-4933-IN on each page of your appeal and supporting documents.

Ways to Submit an Appeal

Online:
Upload your appeal and supporting documents through your DisasterAssistance.gov account.

Fax:
800-827-8112
Attention: FEMA – Individuals & Households Program

Mail:
FEMA – Individuals & Households Program
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

FEMA says appeal decisions are usually made within 30 days after receiving the appeal, although a decision may take up to 90 days.

FEMA infographic explaining how to appeal a FEMA disaster assistance decision.

Appeal Appeal

SBA Disaster Assistance

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides disaster assistance to eligible homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations following declared disasters.

SBA disaster assistance may include loans for eligible physical disaster losses as well as Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for qualifying businesses and organizations.

Because disaster designations and eligibility can change, applicants should review current SBA information or contact SBA to determine which programs are available for their location and circumstances.

CONTACT

SBA Customer Service Center: 800-659-2955
Telecommunications Relay Service: 7-1-1

Additional Recovery Support

Crisis Counseling & Emotional Support

Recovering from a disaster can be stressful. Crisis counseling and other support services may be available to individuals and families affected by the disaster.

Crisis Counseling Crisis Counseling

In-Person Disaster Assistance

In-person assistance may be available through Indiana's One-Stop Shops and other disaster assistance locations.

These locations can provide access to state and federal services, including FEMA Individual Assistance application support, insurance information, housing support, State Disaster Relief Fund assistance and SBA disaster loan information.

In Person Support In Person Support

Indiana 211 & Local Recovery Resources

Residents affected by the August storms can contact Indiana 211 for information about community resources, including food, clothing, cleaning supplies, housing, mental health resources, drinking-water testing, mold concerns, vaccinations, debris removal and other recovery needs.

Call: 211
Alternate Number: 866-211-9966

Need Help?

FEMA

Apply / Check Status: DisasterAssistance.gov
FEMA Helpline: 800-621-3362
Disaster Number: DR-4933-IN
Application Deadline: October 25, 2026

U.S. Small Business Administration

SBA Customer Service Center: 800-659-2955
Telecommunications Relay Service: 7-1-1

Indiana 211

Call: 211
Alternate: 866-211-9966

Putnam County EMA

Email: emadirector@co.putnam.in.us

Phone: 765-653-5115 ext. 110

Disclaimer

Important: Putnam County Emergency Management Agency does not determine eligibility for FEMA, SBA or other state or federal disaster assistance programs and cannot approve, deny or modify an application. Program availability, eligibility requirements and deadlines are established by the administering agency and may change. Applicants should follow instructions provided directly by FEMA, SBA or the appropriate state or federal agency.