Governor Holcomb Declares Disaster Emergency for 3 Indiana Counties

Governor Eric Holcomb yesterday issued an executive order declaring a disaster emergency for Jefferson, Ohio and Switzerland counties due to the Sept. 3 flooding event.

“Hoosiers in southern Indiana are rebuilding their lives after significant damage occurred from flash floods,” said Gov. Holcomb. “By declaring a disaster emergency, the communities can receive additional state resources to support recovery efforts and offer a helping hand to those in need.”

The three counties experienced near-record rainfall on Sept. 3 and into the next day, with some areas of southern Indiana experiencing up to a foot of rain. The rain caused catastrophic flooding and severe damage to infrastructure, including roads, homes, buildings and bridges. Switzerland County experienced significant widespread damage and at least one death was attributed to the flooding.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security staff have been working with local officials since the incident to properly assess the damage and determine what resources the state can provide to help the counties. The declaration impacts public assistance for infrastructure and not individual homes.

The disaster emergency declaration follows similar declarations at the county level. IDHS will work with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to determine if the damages meet the threshold for federal assistance.

Indiana Department of Homeland Security:

Established in 2005, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) leads the way to a safer and more secure Indiana. With jurisdictions involving emergency management, building code enforcement, as well as training and certification for first responders around the state, IDHS works to provide a safe, secure and resilient Indiana.

For more information about IDHS, visit dhs.in.gov.