A request for a major disaster declaration for areas hit by February’s floods now heads to President Donald Trump. If approved, the declaration could open the door to grant funding for home and business owners in nine Indiana counties, including Marshall and St. Joseph. That could include money for temporary housing, home repairs, and loans from the Small Business Administration.
Governor Eric Holcomb is also asking for public assistance for 27 counties. Those include Marshall, Starke, LaPorte, and St. Joseph. That money would help reimburse local response agencies for debris removal, road repairs, and possibly other costs.
In a letter sent to President Trump Friday, Governor Holcomb explained that 35 Indiana counties had declared local disaster emergencies during the floods. Throughout the state, the floods resulted in six deaths, 11 homes being destroyed, and another 631 homes suffering major damage, according to Holcomb.
The letter also says that 13 levee breeches had occurred in Northern Indiana by February 27. Ten of those were in Starke County.
