Times
INDIANA
October 16, 2006
Vol. 1


Published by the
U.S. Department of
Homeland Security/FEMA
and the
Indiana Department of
Homeland Security



Apply by Phone 
800.621.FEMA (3362) 
TTY: 800.462.7585 

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
local time
seven days a week


State and federal damage assessment officials speak with Highland residents whose basement 
wall collapsed from the mid-September flooding. FEMA Photo by Gene Romano 
Disaster Help 

Available Now! 

Severe storms and flooding September 12-14 caused devastation to 
Indiana’s Lake and Vanderburgh Counties. In response to a request from 
Governor Mitch Daniels, President Bush declared a federal disaster, 
opening the way for help to individuals and businesses in the affected 
counties who suffered disaster related damage. 

The disaster declaration enables the U.S. Department of Homeland 
Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other 
federal agencies to team with state and local disaster workers to help 
residents and business owners in the affected counties recover. 

Government disaster assistance covers basic needs but will not normally 
compensate disaster victims for their entire loss. If you have insurance, the 
government may help pay for basic needs not covered under your insurance policy. The types of help available are outlined in this newsletter and 
will be explained when you register for aid. 

Those affected by the storms and flooding who live or own businesses in 
one of the disaster-declared counties may apply for aid by calling: 
800-621-FEMA (800-621-3362). Speech or hearing impaired persons 
should call 800-462-7585. Or, people may register online at 
www.fema.gov. 

Important 
Recovery Information 


 Register by phone or 
online at www.fema.gov 
Residents of declared 
counties whose homes, 
businesses or personal 
property sustained damage 
as a result of severe storms 
and flooding September 1214 are urged to begin the 
application process. 
Register online or call 

800-621-FEMA (3362) 

(TTY: 800-462-7585) from 
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time, 
seven days a week. 

• Assistance to Individuals and Households 
Homeowners and renters 
whose primary residences 
are not livable may be 
eligible for funds to pay for 
temporary housing, repairs 
to make the home livable 
and other serious, disaster-caused needs including 
uncovered medical or 
transportation expenses. 

• U.S. Small Business 
Administration 
During disasters, the U.S. 
Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-
interest, long-term loans to 
home-owners, renters and 
businesses of all sizes that 
are not fully insured. 

• National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) 
Disaster victims insured 
with NFIP are eligible to file 
claims to repair or replace 
damaged property. Call 
your licensed insurance 
agent for information. 


How to File a Flood
Insurance Claim


If you have flood insurance, call your 
insurance agent to report your claim. 
The agent will prepare a Notice of 
Loss form and an adjuster will be 
assigned to help you. 

If possible, photograph the outside and 
the inside of the damaged property, 
showing the flooding and damage. 

Dispose of damaged property that 
presents a health hazard or that may 
hamper clean-up operations. Be sure 
to describe fully all discarded items so 
that when the adjuster examines your 
losses and your records, these articles are included. 

Compile a room-by-room inventory of 
missing or damaged goods and include manufacturers’ names, dates 
and places of purchase and prices, 
where possible. Try to locate receipts 
and proofs of purchase, especially for 
large appliances. Good records can 
speed settlement of your claim. 

Dealing with Mold and 
Mildew 

A major health concern after flooding 
is the growth of molds and bacteria. 

If your home has been water damaged, inspect and clean all appliances 
that have been in contact with floodwaters. Look for mold growth throughout the house, including the attic, 
basement and crawlspaces. Have 
professionals check heating/cooling 
ducts and wall insulation for mold 
growth. 

Wash all items that came in contact 
with floodwaters with a household 
chlorine bleach solution of 4 oz. of 
bleach to 1 gal. water. Leave the 
bleach solution on the item for at least 
15 min. before rinsing off with clean 
water. 

When using a bleach solution, open 
windows and wear rubber gloves. 

Questions? Call your local health 
department. 

Q&A: 

Disaster Assistance 

Q. What should I do to get help with my disaster losses? 
A. Call the toll-free registration number, 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you 
have a speech or hearing impairment, call the TTY number, 800-4627585. Or you can register online at www.fema.gov. 
Q. If I have insurance, can I still get assistance? 
A. If you have any insurance coverage, contact your insurance company. However, if you believe you have needs not covered by your 
insurance, do not delay in applying for disaster assistance. 
Q. What information do I need to give when I call for
assistance?
A. Your name, address of damaged property, Social Security number, 
insurance information, gross income, and a phone number where you 
may be reached. 
Q. What happens after I apply? 
A. It depends on what source of aid is needed. That will determine 
where you are referred. If you are referred for disaster housing assistance, a trained FEMA inspector will call for an appointment within two 
weeks after you have registered. If you have not heard from anyone by 
then, call FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362). 
Q. I registered with FEMA and then I received a disaster
loan application from the U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA). Why did I receive a loan
application?


A. SBA is the main source of federal recovery aid for disaster victims. 
For disaster damage to private property owned by individuals, families 
and businesses that is not fully covered by insurance, the basic form of 
federal assistance for long-term recovery is a low-interest disaster loan 
from SBA. 

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transpor

tation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial 

expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, 

applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to 
SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal 
property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses. Applicants may be approved for low-interest loans or grants. 

Questions about FEMA assistance? 
Call: 800.621.FEMA (3362) 
TTY: 800.462.7585 
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Aid to Help You


on the Road to Recovery


Individuals and business owners who suffered losses because of severe storms and flooding from September 12-14 
may be eligible for assistance. 

Declared counties are: Lake and 
Vanderburgh. 

ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS 
AND HOMEOWNERS 

Help is available for renters and homeowners whose primary homes were 
damaged or destroyed or who face 
displacement from their homes because of 
disaster damage. Aid can include grants 
for temporary housing or money for 
emergency repairs to make a home 
livable. Help is also available to meet 
disaster-related serious needs or necessary 
expenses including medical, dental or 
transportation costs. 

HOME/PERSONAL PROPERTY 
DISASTER LOANS 

U.S. Small Business Administration 
(SBA) low-interest disaster loans up to 
$200,000 are available to homeowners for 
real estate repairs. Renters and homeowners may borrow up to $40,000 to 
replace personal property losses. 
BUSINESS DISASTER LOANS 

Businesses of all sizes and certain 
nonprofit organizations may borrow up to 
$1.5 million from the U.S. Small Business 
Administration (SBA) to pay for repairing 
or replacing real estate, machinery and 
equipment, inventory and other assets. 
For small businesses, SBA makes 
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) 
available for working capital. Eligible 
businesses can be in the adjoining, as well 
as declared, counties (for EIDL only). 

CONSUMER SERVICES 

Complaints about business practices and 
other consumer problems should be filed 
with the state attorney general’s office. 
Call 800-382-5516. 

If you’re insured, 
should you apply for 
assistance? 

If you suffered damage from the severe
storms and flooding that occurred
September 12-14 and you live or own a
business in one of the
disaster-declared counties, you 
may be eligible for federal disaster
assistance


even if you were insured. 

The law does not allow disaster aid to
duplicate insurance benefits; however, if
your insurance does not cover
all your costs or damage, FEMA may
be able to help.


Register for aid by calling
800-621-FEMA (3362)
or online at www.fema.gov


DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT 
ASSISTANCE 

Weekly benefits may be provided for 
those out of work because of the disaster, 
including self-employed persons, farm/ 
ranch owners and others not covered by 
regular unemployment. Apply at your 
local unemployment office. 

AGRICULTURAL AID 

Emergency loans may be available to 
farmers or ranchers for actual losses to 
essential property and/or production 
capacity. Cost-sharing grants also are 
available for emergency conservation 
measures. Contact your local Farm 
Service Agency office. 

SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS 

Help to speed delivery of checks delayed 
by the disaster is available from your 
local Social Security office. 

TAX ASSISTANCE 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 
allows federal income tax deductions for 
underinsured or uninsured losses on 
homes, personal property and household 
goods. 

FRAUD PROTECTION AND 
LEGAL SERVICES 

The U.S. Department of Housing and 
Urban Development (HUD) can assist in 
cases of unlawful discrimination in 
federally subsidized or insured housing. 
Complaints may be filed with the state 
Office of the Attorney General. Legal 
assistance and/or referrals may be 
available by calling the state bar association. 

INSURANCE INFORMATION 

The state insurance bureau can help with 
matters such as speeding up settlements, 
getting copies of lost policies, verifying 
losses and filing claims. 

VETERANS BENEFITS 

Information is available about benefits, 
pensions, insurance and VA mortgage 
loans. 

VOLUNTEER AGENCY 
SERVICES 

Volunteer relief agencies such as the 
American Red Cross, Salvation Army and 
other groups offer a wide range of 
services from supplying disaster victims 
with home clean-up kits to financial 
assistance to meet emergency disaster 
needs. 

3 


An Evansville resident is rescued during the September flooding. Photo by Justin Rumbach/Evansville 
Courier Press. 
A Good Time to Think About


Flood Insurance


Maintaining a flood insurance policy is 
one of the best ways to protect yourself 
against the cost of flood damage. As many 
residents found out in the aftermath of the 
recent flooding, homeowners policies do 
not cover damage from rising waters. But, 
if you do not have flood insurance, you 
can take steps now to protect yourself 
against future flood losses. 

Flood insurance backed by the federal 
government is available to any homeowner, renter or business owner whose 
property is in a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance 
Program (NFIP). To participate, the 
community must adopt and enforce local 
floodplain management ordinances 
designed to reduce the risk of future flood 
losses. 

If you live in such a community, you can 
purchase flood insurance from any 
licensed insurance agent or company — 
the same one, for example, who handles 
your homeowners or automobile insurance. 

Premiums vary according to the flood risk 
your property is exposed to, the amount of 
coverage you purchase, the deductible you 
select and the type of building you are 
insuring. 

On a single-family home, you may 
purchase flood insurance coverage up to 
$250,000 on the structure and up to 
$100,000 on the contents. If you are a 
business owner, the maximum is $500,000 
on the building and another $500,000 on 
contents. If you are a renter, you can 
purchase up to $100,000 coverage for 
personal belongings. 

Some people resist buying flood insurance in the faulty belief that if flooding 
occurs, the government will bail them out. 
Federal disaster assistance is available 
only if a flood (or other disaster) is so 
large and widespread it warrants a major 
disaster declaration from the president. 
Most disasters are not presidentially 
declared. In the majority of floods, victims 
are on their own — unless they have 
flood insurance. And even for floods that 
are declared major disasters, the aid 
available is limited. Most assistance is in 
the form of loans. 

Even if your neighborhood is not in a 
floodplain, flood insurance is advisable. 
Floods can — and do — occur almost 
anywhere. 

For more information, contact your local 
insurance agent or company or call the 
NFIP toll-free number, 800-720-1090. 

Flood Insurance
May Help
Reduce Future Damage


If your home or business is substantially damaged by a flood, you may 
have to meet certain building requirements in your community to repair or 
rebuild. 

Help in covering the costs of meeting 
those requirements may be provided in 
your flood insurance policy. 

Flood insurance policyholders may be 
eligible to get up to $30,000 to help 
pay the costs to bring their home or 
business into compliance with their 
community floodplain ordinance. 

If your community officials determine 
that your home or business has been 
“substantially damaged” by the flood, 
contact your insurance company or 
agent to file a claim for help in meeting these costs. 

For more information, call your insurance company or agent or the NFIP 
toll-free number, 800-720-1090. 

Make sure disaster aid goes to those 
who deserve it. 

FEMA Fraud Hotline: 
800-323-8603 

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, 
religion, national origin, age, disability 
or economic status. 

If you or someone you know has been 
discriminated against, contact FEMA at 

800-621-FEMA (3362)
TTY: 800-462-7585
or contact the state equal rights office.


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SBA Low-Interest Loans: Out of Work 

Because of the Disaster? 

Not Only for Business The federal Disaster Unemployment 

A low-interest loan from the U.S. Small 
Business Administration (SBA) is the 
main form of federal help for long-term 
recovery for homeowners, renters and 
businesses of all sizes. These loans fund 
repairs of damages to private property not 
fully covered by insurance. By making 
affordable loans, the SBA disaster 
program helps disaster victims pay for 
repairs while keeping taxpayer costs 
reasonable. 

Loans for homeowners and renters. SBA 
disaster loans up to $200,000 are available 
to homeowners for real estate repairs and 
up to $40,000 for replacement of disaster-
damaged personal property. Renters may 
borrow up to $40,000 to replace disaster-
damaged personal property. 

An additional 20 percent may be added to 
the disaster loan to cover the costs of 
devices to prevent future damage. 

An applicant must complete an SBA loan application 
to be eligible for assistance under 
the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program 
that covers personal property, vehicle repair 
or replacement, and moving and storage expenses. 
Even so, applicants who do not meet 
a certain income threshold may be excused 
from this requirement. In addition, there are 
other ONA grants such as medical and dental 
expenses, and funeral and burial expenses that 
do not require individuals to apply for an SBA 
loan to be eligible. 

SBA analyzes the income and debts of a 
homeowner or renter. If the applicant 
cannot afford a disaster loan, SBA may 
refer that person to another source of help. 

Loans for businesses and nonprofit 
organizations. Businesses of all sizes and 
private nonprofit organizations may apply 
for low-interest disaster loans from SBA 
to repair or replace disaster-damaged real 
estate, machinery and equipment, 
inventory and other business assets. Loans 
of up to $1.5 million are available for 
losses not fully covered by insurance. 

For small businesses only, SBA makes 
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) 
to provide working capital to pay necessary obligations until operations return to 
normal. These loans, up to $1.5 million, 
are available to businesses financially 
impacted by the disaster, even if they had 
no property damage. Small businesses 
located in counties next to the declared 
counties also may apply for these loans. 

When you register for assistance by 
calling the FEMA toll-free number, 
800-621-FEMA (3362), you may receive 
an SBA loan application. If you need 
assistance in completing it, you can get 
help from an SBA representative at any 
disaster recovery center. Also visit SBA 
on the Web at www.sba.gov. 

Hiring a Contractor? 

Ask Questions First 

Assistance Program may provide you 
with a weekly check if you have become unemployed or have suffered a 
loss of income as a result of the disaster. The program is designed to 
help the self-employed, farmers and 
others not normally eligible for unemployment insurance. 

Disaster unemployment assistance 
can provide weekly benefits for up to 
26 weeks following the date of the 
disaster declaration. 

You may be eligible if you are: 

• out of work as a result of the disaster; 

• self-employed or a seasonal/migrant 
worker whose income is substantially 
affected by the disaster; 
• an employee not covered by any 
other unemployment compensation; 
or 
• a survivor who, as a result of the 
disaster, becomes a head of household. 
Contact your local unemployment office. 


Times


Recovery Times is published by the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal
Emergency Management Agency and the
Indiana Department of Homeland Security
with help from
other federal, state and voluntary agencies.
Comments and inquiries may be directed to


PH: 800.621.FEMA (3362) 
http://www.fema.gov 
DR1662 

Federal Coordinating Officer
LAWRENCE SOMMERS


State Coordinating Officer


J. ERIC DIETZ
Editor, FEMA Public Affairs
BLAIR GATELY


Common sense is the watchword when 
hiring a contractor to repair or rebuild your 
storm-damaged home. To help the process 
go as smoothly as possible, follow these 
suggestions: 

Check the contractor’s reputation. 

Contact the local Better Business Bureau, 
home builders association or building 
trades to ask if the contractor you are 
thinking of using has unanswered complaints filed against him or her. 

Ask for references. Get the names of 
previous customers. Call some and ask if 
they would hire the contractor again. 

Ask for proof of insurance. Be sure the 
contractor has disability and workers’ 
compensation insurance. 

Ask for a written estimate. Make sure it 
includes everything you expect the 
contractor to do. 

Ask for a contract. The contract should 
clearly state all work, costs and the 
payment schedule. Never sign a blank 
contract or one with blank spaces. 

Do not sign off before the job is finished. 

Do not sign completion papers or make the 
final payment until the work is completed. 

5 


BUILDING FOR A


Health Tips 

AsCleanupBegins 

While cleaning up after flooding, it is 
important to proceed with caution. 

If you receive a puncture wound 
contaminated with sewage, soil or saliva 
during cleanup, see a physician to 
determine if a tetanus booster is 
necessary. The doctor will take into 
account your vaccine history, date of the 
last dose received and type of injury. 

Mold is likely to be a problem in flooded 
homes and has the potential to affect the 
health of all family members. 

Wet, porous materials, such as carpeting, 
wallboard, insulation, wallpaper and 
furniture, cannot be cleaned or dried and 
should be discarded because they can be 
a mold source. 

If the humidity outside is lower than 
indoors and, if the weather permits, open 
doors and windows. 

Use fans to move the air to dry your 
home. Do not use central air conditioning 
or the furnace blower if the ducts were 
under water. They will blow dirty air that 

might contain contaminants. 

Use dehumidifiers and window air 
conditioners, especially in closed areas. 

. 

Open closets and cabinet doors to 
promote air circulation. 

Use a contractor who specializes in drying flooded buildings. 

Food that comes in contact with floodwater can pose a serious health risk. Throw 
away all food containers that are bulging, 
leaking or dented, even if a leak is not 
obvious, because bacteria can pass 
through openings too small for liquids. 

Also throw away home-canned goods if 
the tops have been exposed to flooding. 
Food in paper containers, cloth or 
cardboard packaging that has been 
exposed to the water should also be 
discarded, along with soft drinks and 
bottles using capped containers. 

It is best to throw away any product if 
there is doubt about its safety. Eating 
food exposed to floodwaters may cause 
serious illness or death. 

For disaster-related 
information visit FEMA 
on the Web @ 
www.fema.gov 
SAFER FUTURE


Following are some simple, inexpensive steps you can take to protect 
your property from future flood damage. 

Raise the electrical box at least 12 
inches above the base flood elevation 
or relocate the box to an upper floor. 
(Ask your local building official what 
the base flood elevation is for your 
area.) 

Raise the water heater and heating 
system on a masonry base at least 
12 inches above the base flood elevation or relocate them to an upper floor. 

Anchor the fuel tank to the floor or 
wall to prevent it from overturning or 
floating away. Metal structural supports and fasteners must be noncorrosive. Wooden supports must be 
pressure treated. 

Install a floating floor-drain plug at 
the lowest point of the lowest finished 
floor. When the floor drainpipe backs 
up, the float rises and plugs the drain. 

Install a backflow valve to prevent 
sewer backup from coming into your 
home. 

Business owners can also protect 
their property to reduce future disaster damages by installing a generator 
for emergency power, protect business records and inventory computer 
files, and prepare an emergency plan. 


Clip & Save • STATE AGENCIES 

Dept. of Insurance ............................................................... 317-232-2385


• FEDERAL AGENCIES Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline .............................. 800-382-5516
FEMA Registration .................................... 800-621-FEMA (3362) Family & Social Services Administration ......................... 317-232-7800
TTY for hearing/speech impaired.......................... 800-462-7585 Civil Rights Commission .................................................... 800-628-2909
FEMA Fraud Detection ........................................... 800-323-8603 Dept. of Environmental
National Flood Insurance Program ...................... 800-720-1090 Management ..................................................................... 800-451-6027


U.S. Small Business Administration .................... 800-659-2955 Dept. of Workforce Development (Employment) ......... 888-WORKONE
Social Security Administration ............................. 800-772-1213 Farm Services Agency ..................................... contact your local office
Internal Revenue Service ...................................... 800-829-1040


 TTY for hearing/speech impaired ...................... 800-829-4059 • VOLUNTEER AGENCIES 
Housing and Urban Development Hotline ........... 800-669-9777 American Red Cross .......................................................... 866-GET-INFO
Dept. of Veterans Affairs ....................................... 800-827-1000 Salvation Army .................................................................... 317-937-7000



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