By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
INDIANAPOLIS — Resi-dents in 13 counties, including Marshall, will receive help from the federal government.
Governor Mitch Daniels received word that Presi-dent Barack Obama has approved federal assistance for homeowners, renters and businesses damaged in 13 counties by severe weather that occurred March 8-14.
Sunday, March 8, severe storms broke out, spawning three tornadoes, high winds and torrential rainfall. Nearly eight inches of rain fell during a 72-hour period in some locations. Heavy rain on frozen and partially frozen ground quickly led to flooding conditions.

Other counties receiving assistance are Allen, Carroll, DeKalb, Fulton, Jasper, Kosciusko, Lake, LaPorte, Noble, Pulaski, White and Whitley.
“What happens is that after the event we go out and do a damage assessment to determine if it’s enough to qualify for help,” said Clyde Avery, director of the Marshall County Emer-gency Management Agency. “Once that damage amount reaches a certain threshold the Governor can then ask for a disaster declaration from the President.”
“This is individual assistance which is to help people who had no insurance or were underinsured.”
Federal Emergency Man-agement Agency (FEMA) individual assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
“FEMA will be setting up a Disaster Relief Center and they’ve contacted me about finding a location for that,” said Avery. “They haven’t decided whether they’re bringing a mobile unit or need a building to set up in. Once I have that information we’ll get the location out to the media.
“People will then be able to come in and go through the application process.”
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in those counties can begin applying for FEMA assistance immediately by registering online at www. disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.
The toll-free telephone numbers are available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time, seven days a week.