11 Indiana counties can apply for state debris removal reimbursement

Eleven Indiana counties hit by severe storms in August are eligible for state and federal assistance to reimburse a majority of debris removal costs as part of the federal major disaster declaration.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse 75% of eligible debris removal costs in Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Henry, LaPorte, Lake, Madison, Porter, Tipton and Wayne counties.

And Gov. Mike Braun’s office committed Thursday that the state would cover 75% of the remaining share — or 18.75% of the total eligible cost — so local governments will only need to pay 6.25% of costs for eligible projects known as FEMA Category A.

“I want to make it clear that Hoosier communities, from our rural towns to the suburbs of our capital city, will not shoulder the recovery effort alone,” Braun said in a news release Thursday. “Debris removal is the next phase of this marathon, and we are with Hoosiers every step of the way.”

State treasurer to provide upfront cash for storm-hit communities

The money will come from an Indiana Department of Homeland Security contingency fund. There is no estimate for how much will be spent.

The announcement coincided with state Treasurer Daniel Elliott’s pledge Thursday to make $50 million available to local governments, schools, libraries and municipal utilities for public infrastructure repair, with or without a disaster declaration.

The rules for FEMA reimbursement are more strict: Eligible projects must be in the public interest, eliminate immediate threat to life, public health and safety and be the result of a declared disaster to qualify for reimbursement under FEMA Category A.

The Braun administration has also secured contractors to assist with debris removal and management, with the first state-led debris removal operations starting in Fayette County.

The Braun administration is urging local governments to work with county emergency managers to report waterways, rights-of-way and private property for debris removal.

Property owners should contact Indiana 211 for assistance, while local governments interested in reimbursement should email [email protected].