FEMA denies aid to storm-battered towns

INDIANAPOLIS – State officials say they’ll appeal a decision by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to deny federal aid for northwest Indiana residents whose homes were damaged by flooding in August.\nFEMA sent a letter to Gov. Mitch Daniels saying that the damage is within the ability of local and state officials to address. The state has 30 days to appeal the decision.\nDaniels declared a disaster emergency for the area, which includes Dyer, Gary, Hobart, Lake Station, East Chicago and Merrillville.\nSeveral storms moved through the region from July 26 through Aug 27.\nAccording to preliminary estimates by the state, three homes were destroyed and 128 had major damage.