FEMA OKs Aid For Additional Counties

Nine more Indiana counties have been approved for federal disaster assistance for winter storms that hit the state in January. A total of 28 counties will now receive aid to help offset costs associated with the snow and ice. May 27, 2014

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Governor Mike Pence announced today that nine additional counties will receive federal grants for the severe winter storm that severely affected much of the state January 5-9.

“This continues to be good financial news for cities and towns in these counties,” said Governor Pence. “Federal grants mean millions of dollars replenishing local budgets.”

The additional counties granted public assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are Blackford, Clinton, Fulton, Hamilton, Johnson, LaGrange, Marion, Montgomery, and Vanderburgh. All of these counties, except Vanderburgh, will also receive 48 hours of snow assistance.

This brings the total number of counties receiving assistance for the January snowstorm to 28. Additional counties may be requested.

Counties previously granted public assistance include: Boone, Clay, Hendricks, Huntington, Jasper, Kosciusko, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Noble**, Owen*, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Tipton, Vigo, Wabash, White and Whitley**. All counties except Owen (designated by an asterisk) are receiving 48 hours of snow assistance. Noble and Whitley counties (designated by two asterisks) are being provided with 72 hours of snow assistance.

FEMA Public Assistance grants will pay 75 percent of eligible expenses for damage to roads, bridges, utilities, debris removal, buildings' contents and equipment, water control facilities, parks and recreational facilities, and others, as well as emergency protective measures like traffic control and rescue operations.

A Snow Assistance designation covers all costs associated with snow removal for the 48-hour period with the highest costs. Of those counties, Noble and Whitley exceeded 150 percent of their record snowfall, making them eligible for 72 hours of Snow Assistance.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security will work with FEMA and local agencies to document allowable expenses.

Source: The Office of Governor Mike Pence and The Indiana Department of Homeland Security