President Obama signs disaster declaration for six Indiana counties

INDIANAPOLIS (March 9, 2012) - Governor Mitch Daniels was notified tonight that President Barack Obama has approved federal assistance for homeowners, renters and businesses in six Indiana counties in southern Indiana affected by tornadoes and severe storms from February 29 to March 3.

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in those counties can begin applying for assistance now by registering online at www.fema.gov/assistance or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers are available 24 hours a day.

The state opened a one-stop shop Wednesday in Sellersburg that helps connect tornado victims with state services, such as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Insurance, and the Family and Social Services Administration. The center is located on the first floor of Ogle Hall at the Ivy Tech campus in Sellersburg (I-65 Exit 9) and is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency also will provide assistance to those applying for federal assistance at the Sellersburg site.