By ANN HINCH
Assistant Editor

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — At press time, President Bush had approved 26 flooded Indiana counties as qualifying for individual federal assistance for homeowners, renters and businesses – including farmers who are any of these – on requests from Gov. Mitch Daniels, who asked for help to 44 counties.
The state has established help centers in Columbus, Martinsville, Terre Haute, Franklin and Indianapolis. Qualifying counties include: Adams, Bartholomew, Brown, Clay, Daviess, Dearborn, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson, Knox, Marion, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo. Damage assessments for other counties are continuing and are being submitted to the federal government as they are completed, according to Daniels’ office.
At these centers, those counties’ residents who lost property or sustained damage in the flooding may apply to FEMA for assistance. This means financial help to households for rent, repairs, replacement of home and personal goods up to a maximum of $28,800 per household.
Any claims paid by private insurance will be taken into account in the determination of a FEMA grant, but one may apply for aid while waiting to hear from their insurance company. In addition, FEMA works with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help victims obtain personal loans of up to $200,000 for households for the repair and/or replacement of homes and personal goods.
Business owners may apply for loans up to $1.5 million. Application may also be made via Internet, through www.fema.gov or www.emergency.indiana. gov and questions may be directed to 800-621-FEMA (3362) or 800-462-7585 (TTY), for the hearing and speech impaired, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. local time, every day.
Daniels explained these help centers also offer other types of assistance, notably from state agencies – people may get replacement drivers’ licenses, car titles, food stamps, help with insurance questions and the like. He added each center is designed to be a one-stop for all help.
“We didn’t want folks who have suffered a lot and are naturally shook up, to have to go to multiple places or face unnecessary confusion to get the help they need,” he said.
FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison traveled affected areas in Iowa and Indiana on June 13. He said once a person applies for individual assistance, FEMA will send an inspector to their home to look it over and discuss insurance and get other information.
He added the agency has doubled its workforce in the past two years (notably following the Hurricane Katrina debacle) and can perform an inspection and issue a check “in just a few hours.” If a person does not qualify for a FEMA grant, they may be able to get an SBA low-interest loan issued with the same expediency.
In addition, the American Red Cross has set up emergency shelters to provide services, food and other necessities. Hoosiers needing assistance should call 866-GET INFO (438-4636) to ask about locations and other vital information.
The Indiana Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) is coordinating private volunteer and donation efforts with the Red Cross. A toll-free number has been established to create a central repository of statewide volunteers, at 888-335-9490. OFBCI will match them to opportunities that best meet the skills and resources of each volunteer or group.
OFBCI is coordinating donations of needed supplies and goods, as well. Among needed items are cleaning supplies, water and personal hygiene products. For directions to the Indianapolis distribution center, call 800-736-2550. 

Agricultural losses

On June 9, Daniels sent a letter to the USDA secretary requesting 44 counties be declared major disasters because of losses of crops and livestock. At press time, Indiana Agriculture Director Andy Miller said they had not yet been approved.
“We’re not dealing with one county, here,” he said, explaining he understands USDA needs time to determine certain things before declaring each county – such as at least 30 percent damage to one crop. “We’re dealing with 44. In most of these severely affected counties, that’s going to be a no-brainer.”
In addition to individual farm assistance, Miller said the state has requested USDA expedite emergency conservation dollars, which would be cash assistance for rebuilding and cleanup of waterways and other natural resources. More than anything, he stressed most farmers can likely qualify for immediate FEMA help, as homeowners, renters or business owners, and calls for those who haven’t yet applied to do so. “They need to worry about their house now,” he said.
He added if a farmer has not reported crop, livestock or equipment losses to their Farm Service Agency (FSA), they should do so immediately. It will be these reports that help USDA determine “disaster” areas. To find a county FSA office, call 317-290-3030 or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/in
Miller said when he toured the state with Daniels, he was struck by the “sheer magnitude of devastation” to farmland. Throughout the entire trip by air, he never saw an area that didn’t have standing water or flood damage. “We are looking feverishly at trying to figure out what we can and can’t do,” he said of government being able to provide any similar financial assistance.
Right now, farmers should contact the Indiana Board of Animal Health for issues related to livestock and poultry, online at www.in.gov/boah or by phone at 317-227-0300. If they have manure, pesticides or other farm chemicals that have spilled due to flooding, they should contact the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Spill Hotline at 888-233-7745.
Since the USDA had not determined the extent of damage at press time, it had no numbers, but Darren Goebel, an agronomist with Pioneer International, drove one day last week from Indianapolis to Evansville. “And you drive down mile after mile after mile, after mile, and you see how much is underwater right now,” he said.
He explained if one square mile is 640 acres, and all those miles are multiplied by 640 – it’s a staggering loss. James Lankford, a Morgan County farmer who estimates he lost about 1,000 acres of young corn and soybeans, and some wheat, said this flood reminded him of news images from New Orleans underwater almost three years ago.
“I guess I’d say, maybe I didn’t grasp the magnitude of damage and destruction” from television alone, he explained, adding it took less than 30 minutes for the creek on his property to go from full banks to overflowing the land. “It brings things back into reality, more.”