Bartholomew County is one of a number of local areas eligible for federal funds to pay for things like infrastructure repairs and buildings damaged by severe weather this past spring.
A federal disaster declaration for public assistance through FEMA was approved for 23 Indiana counties following severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds and tornadoes in the state from March 30 to April 9, Bartholomew County Emergecy Management (BCEM) announced Thursday. President Trump signed the major disaster declaration on July 23.
The weekend of April 4 saw the biggest flood in Bartholomew County in two decades. About 7.5 inches of rain fell on Bartholomew County in a 36-hour period, while large amounts of rainfall north of the county resulted in the third highest crest in East Fork White River in 112 years.
The FEMA Public Assistance Program provides assistance to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, and certian types of nonprofit organizations.
A major disaster declaration is made when the president determines a natural event has caused damage of such severity that it’s beyond the combined capabilities of state and local governments to respond, according to FEMA.
BCEM noted that Indiana and Bartholomew County did not meet the damage threshold for FEMA disaster assistance for individuals and households.
What Bartholomew County is eligible for is public assistance for local governments and certain nonprofits regarding emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. That may involve debris removal, emergency protective measures, roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, as well as parks.
Information regarding how to apply can be found here.
Beginning Aug. 5, FEMA staff, in conjunction with Indiana Department of Homeland Security recovery teams, will begin meeting with public assistance applicants and county Emergency Management agencies across the state, BCEM said.
