FEMA makes $1 million available to Indiana flood victims

INDIANAPOLIS -- Victims of Labor Day weekend storms and flooding collected more than $1 million in emergency federal grants during the first six days the money was eligible.\nThat money became easier to obtain Thursday when the Federal Emergency Management Agency opened five central Indiana offices in flood-stricken communities to help victims apply for grants and low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration.\nPeople in the 21 affected counties have 60 days from President Bush's Sept. 5 disaster declaration to apply for aid.\nA prior disaster declaration following July storms and flooding resulted in a total payout of more than $18 to $30 million in SBA loans and $12 million in grants, said Sam Ventura, a FEMA spokesman. That declaration covered 40 Indiana counties.\nThe latest disaster seemed to prompt speedier applications for aid, Ventura said. Through Wednesday, 1,738 people had applied.\n"There are a lot of people that have been hit that never had flood insurance and never thought about getting it," he said. "That's one of the differences in this particular disaster: There are a lot of people who wouldn't think they were going to be affected, and all of a sudden they got a bit of water."\nAs much as 9 inches of rain fell on the affected counties over Labor Day weekend, including 7.2 inches on Monday alone in Indianapolis. A woman died when her truck was swept into Fall Creek on the city's northeast side.\nThe more than $1 million in aid awarded so far has come as grants, which do not need to be repaid like the SBA loans. Of the total, nearly $800,000 has paid for home repairs and temporary housing and $203,479 for other needs, FEMA said in a news release.\n"This early in the recovery process our concern is for people's housing needs," said Patrick R. Ralston, director of the State Emergency Management Agency. "Our top priority is getting people into safe and sanitary living quarters so they can continue on with their lives."\nAdditional aid for flood victims became available Thursday in the form of emergency food stamps for those who need them or who lost food during the disaster.\nEven families not currently receiving food stamps can receive them, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration said. Those families have until next Wednesday to apply. The agency determines eligibility by subtracting disaster -- and shelter-related expenses from a family's available income.\nFamilies that already received food stamps before the disaster have until Sept. 19 to apply. The county offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.\nMeanwhile, FEMA opened five disaster recovery offices Thursday in Muncie, Anderson, Carmel, Lawrence and Indianapolis. The offices help people fill out aid applications and provide information on pending requests, rental housing, tax assistance and private relief.\nPeople can apply for aid by calling toll-free 1-800-621-FEMA. Those with impaired speech or hearing can call 1-800-462-7585. Both lines are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.