Governor Mike Braun has declared a state of disaster emergency for 63 counties in Indiana.
“Many Hoosier communities were impacted by the severe weather that swept through our state this week,” said Braun. “This emergency declaration ensures that every available state resource is mobilized quickly to support response efforts, help local governments address urgent needs, and help Hoosiers recover.”
Due to flooding, severe weather, tornadic activity, and a derecho, Gov. Braun declared a state of disaster emergency in Allen, Bartholomew, Benton, Boone, Brown, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Elkhart, Franklin, Fountain, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Hendricks, Howard, Huntington, Jackson, Jasper, Jay, Jefferson, Jennings, Johnson, Kosciusko, Knox, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Ohio, Owen, Parke, Porter, Putnam, Randolph, Ripley, Rush, Shelby, St. Joseph, Steuben, Switzerland, Tippecanoe, Wabash, Warren, White, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, and Vigo counties.
A number of homes and property north of Freetown in Pershing Township in northwest Jackson County were severely damaged by a tornado which touched down shortly after midnight on June 18. At least two homes were completely destroyed and many others damaged. No injuries were reported.
The disaster declaration is effective for 30 days and allows the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to provide financial assistance to impacted families who have eligible expenses under the State Disaster Relief Fund program.
The disaster declartion allows local property owners to seek up to $25,000 in state disaster aid.