Hamilton County officials met Sunday with residents displaced by flooding to outline a growing list of flood assistance resources covering temporary housing, home cleanup and long-term recovery.
The meeting at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds brought together the county’s Emergency Management Agency and representatives from Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).
Getting displaced residents into safe housing is the most immediate priority. The county will continue paying for hotel rooms for residents already receiving assistance until state-funded housing vouchers become available. Those vouchers are expected to cover up to $150 per day toward a hotel or rental property for at least six months.
Residents who need temporary housing must register with Indiana 211 and check the “temporary housing” box on the questionnaire. Those who registered earlier should confirm they indicated housing assistance is needed. Disaster-response teams will use that information to contact eligible households as resources open up.
Teams from Southern Baptist Disaster Relief are expected in Hamilton County Monday and Tuesday to begin “mucking out” flooded homes at no cost to homeowners. Crews can remove damaged materials, including drywall, and are equipped to perform mold remediation.
“It’s critical that those who suffered severe water damage, not stay in their homes,” said Jane Crady, coordinator of disaster preparedness and response for Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Indianapolis. “I’ve been doing this work for more than 20 years and I’ve seen people die from mold. If your home was flooded go to a hotel and call us for help.”
As the county shifts toward long-term recovery, disaster case managers will be assigned to affected households to help residents navigate paperwork, identify available assistance and work through rebuilding in the months ahead.
Hamilton County is still awaiting a federal disaster designation from FEMA. State officials are working to expedite the request, but local officials cautioned that federal declarations can take time. They said they hope to know more within the next week or two.
The response comes as communities across Indiana deal with widespread damage from flooding and severe storms. Officials said 54 Indiana counties are currently managing disasters, and more than 20,000 people have registered for assistance through 211.
Residents with immediate housing needs should call 211 or Hamilton County’s 24/7 flood hotline at 317-645-3261. Online registration is available at https://in211.communityos.org/.