Indiana evaluates June storm damage while federal disaster aid remains unavailable

Indiana and federal officials are evaluating damage from June flooding, tornadoes, severe storms and a derecho, but the assessment process has not made federal disaster assistance available to residents.

Joint preliminary damage assessments began July 16. The findings will help Indiana decide whether to request a federal disaster declaration. Indiana is currently at Step 3 of the federal declaration process. That does not guarantee the state will submit a request or that the federal government will approve one.

What the assessments cover

The weather period under review runs from June 6 through June 30, 2026. Local, state and federal officials, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration, are gathering information about the extent and cost of damage.

Teams are documenting damage to homes, businesses, public infrastructure and eligible private nonprofit facilities. Individual Assistance assessments include door-to-door visits in Elkhart, Gibson, Harrison, Jefferson, Lake, Monroe, Ohio, Porter and Warrick counties.

Public Assistance assessments are being conducted virtually and in person with affected state and local governments and eligible private nonprofit organizations in Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Elkhart, Floyd, Fountain, Franklin, Gibson, Grant, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Martin, Miami, Monroe, Morgan, Ohio, Perry, Pike, Porter, Putnam, Scott, Steuben, Wabash, Warrick and White counties. IDHS says additional counties may be added as more damage information is collected.

What a visit means for residents

Assessment teams may photograph damage and ask residents about losses, but they will not enter homes. Residents do not need to be home for every visit because the teams are collecting sample information and do not need to inspect every property.

Government personnel should carry official identification. They will not ask for money or require payment. Residents should be cautious of anyone seeking cash or personal information while claiming to represent a disaster-assessment program.

Independent reporting from WVPE confirmed assessment activity in Elkhart County, where local officials were coordinating with FEMA, Indiana emergency-management personnel and other agencies. Residents there were still dealing with cleanup and insurance-related costs weeks after the storms.

State aid is separate from possible FEMA aid

Gov. Mike Braun issued an Indiana state disaster declaration June 19 for 63 counties affected by flooding, severe weather, tornadic activity and a derecho from June 6 through June 18. That state declaration is separate from any future federal disaster declaration.

Eligible uninsured or underinsured residents may apply for help through Indiana’s State Disaster Relief Fund. The fund is intended for eligible costs related to repairing, replacing or restoring an applicant’s primary residence. It cannot replace insurance coverage or pay insurance deductibles. IDHS says eligible applicants may receive up to $25,000.

As of August 3, 2026, FEMA assistance is not available for Indiana’s June 2026 severe weather. The joint assessments are an evaluation step, not an approval of aid and not proof that an individual household will qualify.

What residents should do now

Residents should not wait for a possible federal decision before beginning recovery steps. File insurance claims promptly, take photographs and video of damage, keep receipts, and preserve repair estimates and other records.

Residents should report damage through the channels provided by Indiana emergency-management officials or contact their local emergency manager if their county is not included in an active reporting process. Agricultural losses should be reported to the appropriate U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency office.

Local governments and qualifying nonprofits should coordinate directly with assessment teams about damage to roads, buildings, utilities and other public or eligible facilities.

What happens next

Indiana will review the assessment findings before deciding whether to request a federal disaster declaration. Officials have not promised a timeline for that decision. Until a federal declaration is issued and specific programs are activated, insurance and eligible state assistance remain the principal recovery resources identified by officials.

Sources

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