FEMA Denies Disaster Assistance Request, Pence Orders Appeal

Indiana Department of Homeland SecurityGov. Mike Pence has directed the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to pursue an appeal after FEMA denied the state’s request for federal disaster assistance for 19 counties affected by flooding in June and July. That list of counties includes Pulaski, Marshall and Fulton. Assistance would have provided grants to government and nonprofit agencies.

Pence said in a statement he’s directed Indiana Department of Homeland Security to continue to gather damage and further documentation. The updated findings will then be presented for federal review.”

At least 10 deaths in June and July were connected to the storms, and Indiana presented FEMA with more than $11 million in confirmed damage.

Public assistance grants pay 75 percent of eligible expenses damage to roads, bridges, utilities, buildings’ contents and equipment, water control facilities, parks and recreational facilities, and others, as well as debris removal and emergency protective measures like traffic control and rescue operations in the affected counties.