Editor’s note: This is the first of what is expected to be weekday updates of Operation Hoosier Relief efforts. “Day 5” refers to the fifth day of operation of “Camp Indiana,” which deployed on September 3.

Operation Hoosier Relief

Daily Update – Day 5

“Camp Indiana” has been established outside Biloxi, Mississippi.

• 60+ Indiana State Police personnel (including 10-water rescue specialists)

• 35 experts from the Department of Natural Resources to handle water rescue and forestry removal.

• 35+ medical professionals from the Department of Health and the Family and Social Services Administration including doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals.

• Indiana’s Mobile Emergency Operations Command Vehicle to coordinate command and control of relief efforts.

• Natural disaster recovery experts from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

Mission Assignments:

• Forestry Officers from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) cleared 75+ trees in the parking lots of local schools to reopen for class/shelters.

• 24 Officers from DNR and Indiana State Police (ISP) patrolled in boats for looters, stray boats, and victims in need of assistance.

• 30 Indiana State Police officers were assigned to road patrols in Mississippi.  Working 12- hour shifts, the officers patrolled nine counties, provided security for food relief missions, and assisted the Biloxi Police Department with the evacuation of 8 sectors of the city.

• Indiana’s medical relief teams treated 24 people at a Red Cross Shelter.

• The mental health team saw 55 people working with a 1^st responder group.

State Government Action:

• The Indiana Department of Revenue, in line with the IRS and in response to shortages of clear diesel fuel caused by Hurricane Katrina, will not impose a tax penalty when dyed diesel fuel is sold for use or used on the highway.

Indiana State Government continues to prepare for possible arrival of evacuees in Indiana.

• All US states have been notified by FEMA that relocation of victims from Texas is temporarily on hold.

• Indiana continues to prepare for the possible relocation of evacuees.

• Indiana is currently home to an estimated 850 evacuees and has offered to house up to 3,000.

• More evacuees continue to relocate to Indiana.  An estimated 180 registered with the American Red Cross on Tuesday.

• The Indiana State Fairgrounds, working with the American Red Cross, is hosting approximately 85 evacuees and will serve as the temporary shelter and relocation center for evacuees.

• Indiana has identified several hundred apartments and housing units for long-term housing of evacuees.

• The State Emergency Operations Center is organizing a dozen state agencies to assist evacuees with physical and mental health screenings, registration for unemployment, food, and housing assistance; and registration for federal and state assistance programs.

Volunteer Efforts:

• Hoosiers interested in volunteering to help Katrina victims should not self deploy.  All volunteers should be coordinated through Indiana’s Emergency Operations Center.

• Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Indiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster to offer their services.  INVOAD can be reached online at www.invoad.org or at 866-909-4673.

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