INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana residents in 24 counties affected by the storms, tornadoes, and flooding that took place from Aug. 11 to 24, 2026, have less than two weeks left to apply for federal assistance.
The included counties are: Carroll, Cass, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Pike, Porter, Pulaski, Putnam, Randolph, Rush, Tipton, Union, and Wayne counties.
For those still looking for assistance, the federal deadline is Oct. 25, and the state deadline is coming up on Nov. 24.
Survivors can receive financial help for uninsured costs, including home repairs, personal property, vehicle damage, medical expenses, accessibility items, moving and storage, and temporary housing reimbursement.
FEMA says it has received more than 60,000 applications so far — distributing about $142 million in federal funds and $32 million in state funds. That assistance includes help with debris removal and temporary and permanent housing.
“If you’re out there and you don’t know what to do and don’t have insurance or have uninsured losses and don’t have flood insurance, please register with FEMA. That is the most direct way we can help you. That way, we can work with each person individually, determine what their needs are, and determine what we can do to assist,” FEMA Federal Coordinator Darryl Dragoo said.
Ron Wright has applied for FEMA assistance after flooding damaged the home he’s lived in for 60 years. More than two feet of water poured into his Ravenswood home.
But Wright says it was one Christmas ornament that brought him to tears.
He described the day the flood happened. “Overwhelmed. I don’t know it was little things. You see all the mud and debris and things floating around and you see something small that grabs your attention, and that sends everything off.”
Wright estimates the flooding caused about $78,000 in damage to his home. He says FEMA assistance and insurance helped cover the cost of rebuilding, though the process took time. He started by replacing the floors, repainting the walls, and getting new appliances. He hopes to move back into his home next week.
“With insurance, FEMA, Red Cross, and all of that. We didn’t get any money until we were 5 or 6 weeks in, so everything was on your own dime until then. Unfortunately, I had that home line of credit so I had money in the bank.”
How to apply for FEMA assistance
Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Residents using a relay service should provide FEMA with that specific number. In-person help takes place at support sites for submitting documents and asking case questions. Locations are available at on.in.gov/August2026Disaster.
To apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Recovery, applicants can visit sba.gov/disaster or call the Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability can dial 711 for telecommunications relay services. In-person assistance locations are listed at Appointment.sba.gov.
FEMA help remains available after applying
Residents should report any changes in circumstances or contact information, including insurance settlement statuses. Applicants can create an account on DisasterAssistance.gov to submit paperwork and check status trackers.
Additional information on Indiana disaster recovery operations is available at www.fema.gov/disaster/4933.
