Declaration allows emergency management to mobilize resources
INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Eric J. Holcomb today added five counties to the disaster emergency he declared Feb. 24, Feb. 26, Feb. 27 and March 2 in response to widespread flooding and infrastructure damage caused by sustained heavy rainfall. The governor signed a new executive order today to include LaPorte, Noble, Posey, Wabash and Warren counties—in addition to Jackson, Kosciusko, Newton, Porter, Harrison, Jasper, Ohio, Pulaski, Benton, Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Jefferson, Spencer, Warrick, Carroll, Dearborn, Elkhart, Fulton, Lake, Marshall, Perry, St. Joseph, Starke, Switzerland and White counties—making 31 total counties covered by this disaster emergency declaration so far.
The disaster declaration means the state Department of Homeland Security can take necessary actions to provide expanded emergency services and is a step the state is required to take to request assistance from the federal government.
The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated Feb. 22 and directly assisted counties by coordinating the delivery of over 824,000 sandbags, two water pumps, heavy equipment and vehicles, labor crews, traffic control, UAV photography, and subject matter expertise on disaster response and recovery.
The Department of Homeland Security opened three one-stop state assistance centers in northern Indiana on Monday, March 5 in Lake, Jasper and Elkhart counties. State services are being offered by several state agencies in partnership with the American Red Cross as well as the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster Group and include housing support, social services, unemployment insurance, insurance information, public health information, transportation assistance, agricultural assistance and more. For more details on these state assistance centers, visit https://calendar.in.gov/site/dhs/event/state-assistance-centers-opening-in-northern-indiana-to-assist-flood-impacted-hoosiers/.
The State EOC will continue operating, monitoring the status of the ongoing situation and providing support and resources across the state. The governor has toured flood damage around the state, learning about the flood damage and engaging with local emergency response teams.
