Letter to The Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States - Renewed Request for Major Disaster Area Declaration

Letter

The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We are writing to express our strong support for Governor Mike Pence's renewed request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Indiana following the severe storms, tornadoes, winds and flooding that occurred in Indiana between June 7 and July 20, 2015. Governor Pence has appealed the decision of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to deny his original request for Public Assistance for Adams, Allen, Benton, Brown, Clark, Fulton, Huntington, Jay, Jefferson, Jennings, Marshall, Newton, Pulaski, Scott, Vermillion, Wabash, Warren, Washington, and Wells Counties, and for Hazard Mitigation statewide.

The National Weather Service has described the period beginning around June 6 and remaining in place until July 21 as a "historical wet summer pattern over the Midwest and Indiana." This period of persistent and destructive weather included multiple weather impulses, resulting in floods, tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms that affected areas throughout the state. This extended weather event resulted in the deaths of ten Hoosiers and also caused multiple injuries. Record rainfall was recorded at many locations throughout the state in June and July, leading to a total of 105 flash flood warnings, the closure of Interstate 65 on July 14, and multiple water rescues by local first responders.

The damage suffered from this sustained weather event is extensive. The heavy rainfall saturated the soil, which combined with high winds, hail and tornadoes to uproot trees that damaged homes and utilities when they fell. The affected counties faced extensive damage to transportation networks, as roads and highways were made impassable due to landslides, high water, and bridge damage. The weather also led to damage to wastewater treatment plants, sewer lines, water lines, power transmission equipment, and agricultural crops.

The Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment conducted in August found damage costs of over $11.1 million, primarily in the categories of debris removal, emergency protective measures and road and bridge work. The State of Indiana and the affected local governments have responded to the disaster to the fullest extent possible. However, the State has faced several disasters in recent years, many of which impacted the communities affected by this weather event. These previous disasters have depleted the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF), and therefore the State does not have the ability to assist in financing infrastructure recovery under the SDRF. As a result, it is clear that the State requires federal disaster assistance for recovery efforts related to this event.

While FEMA did not provide a specific reason for its denial of the Governor's initial request for a Major Disaster Declaration, it appears the agency excluded the period from July 9-11 and therefore determined this was two separate events. However, the National Weather Service has clearly stated that this event was a single sustained weather pattern throughout the entire period, including July 9-11. Hoosiers received no respite from the weather pattern during this period, and the agency should therefore evaluate this as a single sustained event.

As a result, we hope you will give careful consideration to Governor Pence's request to reconsider the denial of Public Assistance to Indiana. The persistent weather event of June and July has imposed a heavy burden on the State and the affected communities, and has limited their ability to perform necessary functions, including providing for public safety. We believe timely federal assistance will significantly assist Indiana's recovery efforts.