Hoosiers affected by severe weather and flooding in Indiana will have convenient access to assistance, as the State of Indiana opens three state assistance centers in Northern Indiana.
Governor Eric J. Holcomb declared a disaster emergency, which currently includes 22 counties—Benton, Carroll, Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Elkhart, Floyd, Fulton, Harrison, Jasper, Jefferson, Lake, Marshall, Ohio, Perry, Pulaski, Spencer, St. Joseph, Starke, Switzerland, Warrick and White counties.
Three one-stop disaster centers will open the week of Monday, March 5.
- Lake County: 3460 Vermillion Street, Lake Station Indiana 46405
(Polk Elementary School, in the gymnasium.)
o Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Jasper County: 112 Carnation Street SE, Demotte Indiana 46310
(Demotte Town Hall)
o Open Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
o Open Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
o Open Monday and Friday, noon to 8 p.m.
o Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The American Red Cross (ARC) and Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) will be on site to deliver basic necessities for those needing food, water or clothing and other essential items.
State agencies will have representatives on site to provide immediate assistance and answer questions for those who have suffered a loss, including the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS), Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Department of Workforce Development (DWD), Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), Department of Insurance (DOI), Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH), Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA). The Indiana Office of Technology (IOT) and the Indiana State Police (ISP) will be providing additional support.
These state services will be available:
Housing Support – Listing of emergency shelters; listing of temporary housing; emergency housing and short-term rental assistance.
Social Services – Replacement and emergency food stamps; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit cards; listing of available child care providers; mental health service referrals; mobile feeding; Red Cross and Salvation Army case work; health coverage application assistance.
Unemployment Insurance – Apply for state unemployment benefits or Disaster Unemployment Insurance.
Insurance Information – Interpretation of insurance policies by staff of the Indiana Department of Insurance; information on lost or damaged policies; information on obtaining copies of insurance policies; general insurance navigation advice and complaint resolution; car insurance assistance.
Public Health Information – Clean up advice and education including mold removal and prevention; vaccination information, including tetanus shots; information regarding free well water testing; access and information to vital records such as birth and death certificates.
Transportation Assistance – Vehicle title and registration replacement or apply for a salvage vehicle title via the BMV; replacement of driver licenses and identification cards.
Agriculture – Representatives will be available to connect land owners and farmers to various local, State and federal assistance programs; erosion control mitigation and assistance-technical and possible financial assistance form BMP installation; logjam and agricultural field debris removal assistance; documentation and repair of damaged, existing conservation practices/structures; mapping/GIS support; damage surveys and documentation; support for animal and livestock issues.
Please note that some services and resources may be limited and may not always be available at all sites.
