INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Mike Braun, FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton, and Indiana Department of Homeland Security Executive Director Jonathan Whitham traveled to Northwest, Central, and East Central Indiana on Monday to assess recovery efforts following the severe storms and historic flooding.
“Yesterday, I showed FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton what Hoosier communities are facing as they recover from the recent severe storms and flooding,” said Governor Mike Braun. “I’m grateful for FEMA’s partnership and for President Trump’s swift approval of our major disaster declaration, which is already bringing critical assistance to Hoosiers and communities, like the ones we saw yesterday, as they rebuild and recover.”
Governor Braun was joined at each stop by local mayors, county officials, and members of Indiana’s congressional delegation, along with Indiana State Police Superintendent and Secretary of Public Safety Anthony Scott.
In Hamilton County, Gov. Braun and Administrator Hamilton joined Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam for a briefing on infrastructure damage.
In Lake County, the delegation visited the American Red Cross shelter at the Hudson Campbell Sports & Fitness Center with Gary Mayor Eddie Melton to meet with families displaced by the flooding and to thank the volunteers and responders supporting them.
In Fayette County, Gov. Braun and Administrator Hamilton joined Connersville Mayor Chad Frank at Mettel Field to tour Indiana’s largest debris site and review the ongoing cleanup, which is being supported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Indiana’s Aggressive Disaster Response:
At Governor Braun’s direction, the state has deployed every resource available to assist in this recovery.
In Northwest Indiana, 71 National Guardsmen and crews from the Department of Correction and Department of Natural Resources cleared more than 350 roadways. The state has since activated $5,000 emergency relief grants for essentials, temporary housing grants through IHCDA to move families out of shelters, additional SNAP resources, paid leave for impacted state employees, and the Department of Insurance has called for a 60-day moratorium on policy cancellations and late penalties from insurance companies. Hoosiers who need assistance can text IN211HELP to 898-211.
On Aug. 26, President Trump approved Gov. Braun’s request for a major disaster declaration. On Aug. 27, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced $26 million in Emergency Relief funding to repair Indiana roads and bridges damaged in the storms, including the replacement of the Hazel Dell Parkway bridge in Carmel, repairs on Interstate 70 and State Road 38, and repairs to multiple bridges in Wayne County.
