Rokita Surveys Storm Damage -- "Pictures Don't Do It Justice" Encourages Hoosiers to Report Damage

Press Release

Representative Todd Rokita today joined Governor Mike Pence, Senator Joe Donnelly, Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, State Senators, State Representatives, emergency responders, and local elected officials of Kokomo, Logansport, and Lafayette to survey damage caused by the storms that visited Indiana on Sunday.

"First and foremost, we must thank God for protecting all Hoosiers through this natural disaster. We are fortunate to not see a report of a single Hoosier casualty due to these storms. Pictures do not do this damage justice. While that is good news, we are facing a difficult situation with significant damage to infrastructure and property. The primary focus right now is on helping those people who are in immediate need of shelter or relief.

"My staff and I have been in regular contact with emergency management personnel from every county in the Fourth District to get an update on local conditions as they continue to assess the damage to infrastructure and to people's homes. I stand ready to work with state and local officials to secure federal disaster assistance should it be necessary.

"Hoosiers have always shown that we are always willing and able to help one another in times of crisis, and we've already seen that proven true again today," said Rokita.

The Red Cross has setup a shelter in Kokomo for those displaced at Memorial Gym (200 N. Apperson Way). Additional shelters are under consideration for Boone and Tippecanoe Counties.

Rokita also encourages Hoosiers who have not yet reported damage caused by the storms to do so by visiting www.in.gov/dhs. Rokita also distributed an update from IDHS on preliminary damage assessments that will begin tomorrow in four central Indiana counties.

"It's vitally important to have a full accounting of the property damage sustained by Hoosiers during the recent storms and flooding, and I encourage everyone affected to report damage through IDHS as soon as reasonably possible. This will help local and state officials as they determine how to proceed with disaster recovery efforts," said Rokita.

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