By Mandy McFarland Editor
NAPPANEE — Despite extensive damage to a portion of the city of Nappanee and the surrounding rural area, the federal government has decided not to grant requests for a major disaster declaration.
According to reports, the counties affected, including Elkhart, Kosciusko and Marshall, Nappanee was most severely impacted.
The request was made Nov. 2 following preliminary assessments of home damage. A total of 51 homes were reported as destroyed, 137 with major damage and 201 with minor damage. Nearly 107 businesses were also reported as damaged or destroyed.

According to estimates, approximately one in every five homes in Nappanee and more than 3,000 jobs were affected in some way by the tornado.
"I am very disappointed," INdiana Department of Homeland Security director J. Eric Dietz said a press release. "We know the affected Hoosiers have experienced great suffering. We are committed to seeking additional measures to provide needed support."
U.S. representative Mark Souder released a statement early last week concerning the decision.
"I toured Nappanee again Tuesday afternoon," he said in his report. "It is apparent that a large section of this small town is devastated. Many insured homes are being rebuilt. Many are being repaired by families and community members. But some of the lower-income homes remain wiped out. And there isn't alternative housing available locally. The town is too small. Several business strips are simply gone, with no work being performed."
Nappanee officials are disappointed with the outcome but plan to reapply for things like small business loans to try to help business owners regain some footing. One option the city has is to appeal to FEMA to reconsider the disaster declaration. Small Business Administration loans are also a possiblity.
"I know there will be an effort to appeal," NITRO director Linda Yoder said. "We haven't given up on the process."
NITRO, which stands for Northern Indiana Tornado Recovery Operations, is a group made up of representatives from nearly 41 local organizations that are looking into long-term recovery, including meeting with victims on an individual basis to discuss things like insurance, rebuilding and so forth.
The IDS also plans to appeal to FEMA.
"We will follow up with FEMA to express our frustration with the denial, work with them to understnad their reasons and act in the best interest of the affected communities," Dietz said.
Prior to the government's denial of the disaster declaration, the library sent out information concerning NITRO, stating that even with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding, an estimated $600,000 in additional funds would have been needed.
The city will also look into planning some fundraisers and are encouraging tornado victims to attend case management workshops at the Nappanee Public Library.
The city of Nappanee is still accepting donations to the Nappanee tornado victims fund. Those wishing to contribute may do so at the Nappanee city hall, 300 W. Lincoln St. or P.O. box 29, Nappanee, IN 46550; to the Lake City Bank, 202 W. Market St., Nappanee; the Nappanee Public Library, 157 N. Main St. or the Family Christian Development Center, 151 S. Locke St., Nappanee.
Online donations can be made at www.elkhartccf.org. Those planning to hold fundraisers for tornado relief can call Bobbie Wilson, 773-2207.
More information is available at the Nappanee Public Library, 773-7919 or from the Hope Crisis Response Network, 866-909-4673.