Damage in 29 counties being assessed by FEMA

In response to Gov. Mitch Daniel’s request for expedited assistance, President Bush declared Indiana a state of “major disaster” Monday, and has ordered federal funding be made available to assist recovery efforts. \nThe Federal Emergency Management Agency is currently doing preliminary damage assessment in 29 counties in Indiana that were affected by last weekend’s floods, FEMA spokesperson Leo Skinner said. Once an assessment has been made, the information will be forwarded to the governor who will then send a request to President Bush where a final decision will be made on whether or not there will be a declaration for individual assistance.\n“FEMA can bring the full complement of federal resources to aid the states ... Response efforts continue to focus on assessing needs and coordinating with partners in state and federal governments, as well as with non-governmental agencies to meet the needs identified,” according to the FEMA Web site. \nThe assistance provided by FEMA will include “everything from cash loans to public infrastructure assistance (and) unemployment assistance,” Gov. Daniels said. \nThe FEMA mission has assigned the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to inspect island levee systems in Sullivan County, the U.S. Department of Transportation to inspect bridges and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide monitoring and technical assistance, according to the FEMA Web site. \nOther federal agencies, including the Department of Natural Resources, the Indiana National Guard and the Red Cross, have all played a vital role in the immediate response to the flooding damage. \n“You cannot train for what we just did,” said Matt Meyer of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department. “Flooding is an every year occurrence, but you can’t plan for several counties state wide to receive as much as water as we did.” \nMeyer said the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s department conducted nearly 100 rescues as a result of the flooding in less than a 48-hour time period between Saturday and Monday. This rescue included the evacuation of Columbus Regional Hospital, which was assisted by the Indiana State Police. \n“You don’t plan for it. You just react,” Meyer said. \nThe Red Cross has organized temporary shelters in eight counties, including one at Spencer Elementary in Spencer, said Katie Metz, a member of the Monroe Country Red Cross Chapter board of directors. \nThe services offered at these shelters include food, medical treatment and triage, psychological counseling and assistance in finding other places to stay. \n“We had 50 people the first night (of flooding) and the numbers are dropping as the days go by,” Metz said. “We’ve provided shelter assistance to 250 people, and those numbers keep rising as more people find out about it.” \nShelter assistance is the procedure leading to monetary assistance from the Red Cross. Each individual situation is recorded, and a damage assessment is made for each case. Then, each case is reviewed by the respective county and assistance is provided in the form of vouchers, clean-up kits and other means. \nIn Monroe County, the deadline for accepting information reporting flood damage has been extended until 4 p.m. Friday, and may be further extended into next week if necessary, said Emergency Management Director John Hooker of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners.\nAs the floodwaters reside, people are returning to their homes or the homes of relatives or friends where people are attempting to start over with whatever they can, Meyer said.