INDIANAPOLIS (November 21, 2005) – Governor Mitch Daniels has asked for federal assistance for 11 more Indiana counties damaged by tornadoes and severe weather on November 15.

The state also was notified today that the governor’s request for public assistance from the November 6 tornadoes has been granted. That means state and local officials will be reimbursed for not less than 75 percent of public costs related to the recovery, repair and construction in Warrick and Vanderburgh counties.

Late last week, the governor signed an executive order (05-34) declaring a state of disaster emergency in the areas affected by severe weather.

In a letter to FEMA Acting Director David Paulison, the governor asked that Bartholomew, Brown, Daviess, Decatur, Gibson, Grant, Greene, Howard, Lawrence, Martin, and Shelby counties be considered for Individual Assistance Programs. Vanderburgh and Warrick counties received such approval on November 8.

In his letter, the governor said state and local officials have identified severe damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure in the affected areas. Individual Assistance Programs include disaster housing, disaster unemployment assistance, crisis counseling and individual and household programs and other needs assistance, as well as Small Business Administration disaster loans.

Here are links to the governor’s letter to Director Paulison and his executive order declaring a state of emergency.

Letter: www.in.gov/gov/media/FEMA_Letter_111805.pdf

Executive order: www.in.gov/gov/media/eo/EO_05-34.pdf