Indiana and FEMA begin damage assessments after June severe weather

Indiana state officials, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration began joint Preliminary Damage Assessments on July 16 after flooding, tornadic activity, severe storms and a derecho affected parts of the state between June 6 and June 30.

Gov. Mike Braun announced the assessments as Indiana begins documenting the scope of the June damage. The review is a step in determining whether the state should request a federal disaster declaration, but it is not itself a declaration or an approval of federal assistance.

At the time of the July 16 announcement, FEMA assistance was not available for the June severe weather, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

What the assessment is intended to determine

The joint review is intended to evaluate damage and its magnitude. State officials, FEMA and the Small Business Administration are participating in the assessment process.

The findings are expected to help Indiana decide whether to seek a federal disaster declaration. Such a request had not been confirmed in the state announcement, and the announcement did not establish that a declaration would follow.

The assessment began after a 25-day period of hazardous weather, from June 6 through June 30. The state identified flooding, tornadic activity, severe storms and a derecho as the types of weather involved in the June event.

What residents may see during the review

Assessment teams may document and photograph property damage and may ask residents for information. The state said the teams will not enter homes.

That means the work is an initial damage review rather than an announcement that individual aid is available. Residents who are contacted may be asked to provide information that helps officials evaluate damage, while the teams’ role includes documenting and photographing property damage from outside homes.

The July 16 announcement did not provide a final statewide damage total. It also did not give a completion date for the assessments or a deadline for a state decision on whether to request a federal declaration.

Counties named in the initial assessment area

The state release said more than 20 Indiana counties were included for assessment. Among the counties named were Jefferson, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Martin, Miami, Monroe, Morgan, Ohio, Perry, Pike, Porter, Putnam, Scott, Steuben, Wabash, Warrick and White.

The assessment area could change. Indiana said additional counties may be added as officials continue collecting damage information, so the counties cited in the initial announcement should not be treated as the final assessment area.

What happens next

Indiana, FEMA and Small Business Administration officials will use the assessment process to evaluate June storm damage and its magnitude. The state said that work is needed to determine whether Indiana should request a federal disaster declaration.

For now, the confirmed development is the start of the joint assessment effort on July 16. The available state information does not confirm a federal disaster declaration request, approval of a declaration or FEMA assistance for the June weather event.

Sources

• Gov. Braun announces joint preliminary damage assessments with FEMA for June severe weather, Indiana Department of Homeland Security