One Week Left to Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance for Flood Damage

Posted on June 27, 2018
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

Those who experienced flood damage this past February have just over a week left to register for federal disaster assistance. The deadline is Thursday, July 5.

You can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center remains open today through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Rensselaer Fire Department at 1060 West Clark.

Marshall, Starke, Pulaski, and LaPorte County residents who experienced uninsured flood damage at their primary residence are encouraged to register. FEMA’s individual assistance grants are designed to help with the cost of bringing damaged homes back to a safe and functional standard.

Homeowners and renters may also apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, up to $200,000 for a homeowner’s primary residence and up to $40,000 for personal property. For more information, visit sba.gov/disaster.

If you’ve already registered with FEMA and have been found ineligible, FEMA officials say to read your letter carefully to understand why. If FEMA asks for more information, there’s a chance you may be reconsidered for assistance, if you send it within 60 days.

Additionally, Starke, Pulaski, and LaPorte County residents whose employment was lost or interrupted by the storms and flooding may also be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. More information can be found on the Indiana Department of Workforce Development’s website or by calling 800-891-6499. Applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance are due by July 9.

Millions in Crop Value Lost to Indiana Flooding

Published: June 30, 2015

By: Tyler Maffitt, WKVI

Extension educators from around the state gathered in Indianapolis late last week to learn about the damage recent rains are causing to area fields.

It’s estimated that Indiana’s crops have lost $300-million in value due to the amount of rainfall in certain portions of the state. Northern sections of Indiana have been impacted more heavily than other areas.

Purdue Extension Agricultural Educator Phil Woolery says that to be eligible for federal disaster assistance, a 30-percent reduction in yields for a single crop would have to be reported.

“So it’d be 30% of corn, not corn and soybeans, but for a single crop, so the local people are evaluating the situation and investigating right now,” says Woolery.

Those local people include officials with the Farm Service Agency – who are currently investigating the situation prior to making the application for disaster assistance. A press release from Purdue Extension indicates that the full impact of the flooding isn’t yet clear.

In Starke and Pulaski counties, part of the problem is saturated soil – which has caused low root growth and reduced nitrogen levels.

Woolery says farmers will have to make their own assessments.

“If they think these crops can recover and if they would benefit from supplemental nitrogen application because corn responds very well to nitrogen and if we get some good weather,” says Woolery. “So there’s different options for applying nitrogen, even to taller corn.”

State climatologists are predicting rains through July, but whether they’ll reach June’s precipitation levels is unknown.

The window for replanting corn has already closed. July 3rd is considered late to replant soybean crops.