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http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=17425

'This is too many acts of God.'
Residents cope with latest flooding; city seeks to solve problems.

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - All along a two-block section of the street, curbs are lined with the debris of ruined couches, pool tables, and other destroyed household items. Less visible are the dank, dirty, smelly basements of the homes, where so-called black water, containing raw sewage rose as high as four feet in some cases.

Eighteen homes in the 4200 and 4300 blocks of Ohio Street south of U.S. 20 were damaged over the weekend when raw sewage flowed into their basements.

At Diana Lozano's home, 4218 Ohio St., sewage water was still visible at the top of the basement drainage pipe. A ruined wide-screen TV and pieces of exercise equipment were among the few items remaining. Most of the smaller items were piled in the backyard.

Luther Monroe had an insurance rider that covered the cleanup. Now he's taking a leadership role in rallying residents to demand action by the city to address a long-standing sewage backup problems.

Mayor Chuck Oberlie listened to resident complaints during the city council meeting Tuesday night, and said the city would set up a meeting with the community to talk about the issue.

"We need to talk about what things the (Sanitary) District is already doing and what has yet to be accomplished," Oberlie said. "It won't happen overnight. There are a lot of engineering issues to be addressed here."

According to the mayor, funds have been included in the 2009 draft budget for evaluating and possibly replacing the lift station at Ohio Street and Southwind Drive.

Dorothy Schilla has homeowners insurance but was told it doesn't cover "acts of God." She's lived in the neighborhood since 1972 and, within two weeks of moving into the house, she said the basement flooded with sewage water. Continuing problems have caused her to replace a freezer three times, and furniture once.

"This is too many acts of God," Schilla said.

Sanjuana Hernandez showed water lines left on her basement wall when sewage backup rose to 8 inches. Items stored in the basement were soaked and a grandfather clock she'd moved to the basement during upstairs remodeling was ruined.

A cleanup crew visited and told Hernandez that all the drywall up to two feet had to be replaced. Hernandez said her brother used the basement as an apartment until he moved out a year ago. Others in the neighborhood use areas of their basements for children's play areas, TV rooms and guest rooms.

Prior to the weekend sewer water situation, Monroe said many neighbors didn't know each other. Now they're banding together to form a neighborhood association to collectively seek some answers from city officials.

Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.

[Roger Kaputnik]

check out www.nwitimes.com for aerial photos of flooding in Da Region. The most shocking to me were the ones from Munster; it is the most familiar area to me and easily recogizable.

[Southsider2k12]

check out www.nwitimes.com for aerial photos of flooding in Da Region. The most shocking to me were the ones from Munster; it is the most familiar area to me and easily recogizable.

http://www.nwitimes.com/packages/slideshows/floodingaerials/

[JHeath]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=59100.64

Need help for flood damage?
Who to contact to report flood damage or request help.

Michigan City Emergency Management, 873-1499 or e-mail jjones@emichigancity.com.

La Porte County Emergency Management Office, (219) 326-6808, Ext. 2264, or you can e-mail pyoung@laportecounty.org.

Information given to Emergency Management will be forwarded to FEMA.

American Red Cross, La Porte County Chapter, 874-4247. (Contact Emergency Management first.)

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City gives flood advice

From Staff Reports

MICHIGAN CITY - Mayor Chuck Oberlie and John W. Jones, director of Emergency Management, met with a representative of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the State Fire and Building Safety Administration last week as for a preliminary damage assessment.

Damage assessment field operatives from FEMA, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Small Business Administration canvassed neighborhoods in the city to assess the extent of damage from the storm of Sept. 13 and 14.

Federal guidelines that determine eligibility include a threshold of 25 residences with 'major damage.' The definition of major damage is considered to be residences that have 40 percent or more uninsured or under-insured damage.

"Locally, we have taken more than 250 calls from the Michigan City area alone with reports of water in basements. The reports of damage are very concerning to us and we have been actively taking the reports and working with FEMA to get any relief that is available," said Jones.

"We are conducting regular meetings to organize local efforts to respond to public infrastructure problems affecting citizens while staying in close contact with federal and state officials capable of offering some help," Oberlie said.

Residents are encouraged to continue their clean-up efforts by pumping or wet vacuuming water from basements and following up with disinfection efforts.

Bobbi Petru, executive director of the La Porte County Chapter of the American Red Cross, said all wet items should be removed from basements.

"Wipe down any salvageable items with a 10 percent bleach solution consisting of one part bleach to nine parts water and throw out any items that cannot be cleaned," Petru said. "In many cases, carpets must be removed. Furniture and other salvageable items can be wiped down and dried in the sun. Wet masonry walls should also be wiped down and floors mopped with the bleach solution after water is removed. Dehumidifiers and fans are also useful in drying basements after water has been removed. Face masks and gloves should be worn and can be purchased locally."

Oberlie said residents should call the Refuse Department at 873-1530 for special trash pick up.

As information is obtained from state and federal officials, City Hall will disseminate instructions to the public.

"Citizens should monitor local media outlets for related developments," Oberlie said. "If we are successful in obtaining a presidential disaster declaration for La Porte County, directions will follow for next steps needed for our citizens to file damage claims."

The state has set up a Web site at www.emergency.in.gov. Michigan City residents who have not filed a damage report with local Emergency Management should call 873-1499; La Porte County residents outside Michigan City can call (219) 326-6808, Ext. 2264.

Reports can also be filed online with the state by going to www.in.gov/dhs or by calling the Indiana State Faith Based Initiative at (888) 335-9490.

[Southsider2k12]

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Disaster help approved

From Staff Reports

INDIANAPOLIS - Gov. Mitch Daniels said Tuesday that President Bush has approved Lake, Porter and La Porte counties for federal assistance for homeowners, renters and businesses damaged by flooding that began Sept. 12.

In addition, he said the state will partner with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross to open three one-stop disaster assistance centers in Northwest Indiana beginning Thursday to help residents impacted by the severe weather.

"We appreciate the quick turnaround to our request and the ongoing cooperation we've received from FEMA since last summer's record flooding in other areas of the state to partner with us to help Hoosiers," Daniels said.

FEMA 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.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in Lake, Porter and La Porte counties can begin applying for FEMA assistance today by registering online at www.fema.gov/assistance or by calling 1 (800) 621-3362 or 1 (800) 462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.

The toll-free telephone numbers will be available for flood victims in Lake, Porter and La Porte counties beginning at 8 a.m. today. Callers should use disaster No. 1795 when they call and are asked to be patient.

Daniels sent a letter to President Bush on Saturday to request federal individual assistance for the counties. He also said that he would reserve the right to request the public assistance program and may request assistance for other counties that received severe damage from the remnants of Hurricane Ike, including Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Floyd, Jasper, Jefferson, Jennings, Harrison, Martin, Newton, Perry, Scott, Spencer and Switzerland.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=17722

Residents seek help from flood troubles

By Craig Davison and Dave Hawk
For The News-Dispatch

Long lines greet people hoping for emergency food stamps, help for homes.

MICHIGAN CITY - Chocolate Williams arrived at the Michigan City office of Family and Social Services Administration at 10 a.m. Monday, hoping to receive emergency food stamps from the state to help her get by after her home was damaged in this month's floods.

She was number 263 in line in Michigan City, and during the time she waited, the staff had gotten only to number 184.

She left the office at about 3 p.m. to see if she would have better luck at the La Porte office.

Williams was out of town when the rains came two weeks ago and flooded her Michigan City home. When Williams got home, she opened the door and water came running out. Everything that wasn't on a high shelf was ruined, including furniture, clothes, the refrigerator and her garage.

"I hope they'll be able to help me with the food I lost," Williams said. She said she planned on also applying for federal aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Williams was one of many trying to receive help. One staff member at the La Porte FSSA office said the line of about a dozen people Williams was standing in outside was a slow period.

The line in Michigan City was long again Tuesday. Lynn Mitchell, who lives in the Lakeland neighborhood, returned for the third time, having given up because of the long waits on previous days.

"They should take the old people first," she complained. "I'm mad," she said, since he had to take off from work twice. "Most of these kids live with their parents," she said, and probably didn't need help. She was seeking food stamps for her father, she said, and any help with her home, which got wet and "stinks from mildew."

Jennifer and Terry Holt of Oakwood Street didn't need food stamps. Instead, they were in line to find out if they were eligible for assistance because of damage to paneling and insulation in their basement.

Jennifer Holt said many in their neighborhood suffered worse damage, especially those on the north side of Gardena Street, where piles of damaged carpet, padding, furniture and boxes of ruined belongings had been stacked out for trash collection after the heavy rains of Sept. 12-14.

The offices will continue accepting applications through today.

It appears more people are trying to receive the emergency food stamps than federal aid so far.

As of Saturday, 7,969 people have registered Lake, Porter and La Porte counties and three southern Indiana counties.

But of those thousands, only 251 people have registered for FEMA aid in La Porte County, said FEMA Field Public Information Officer Mel Jenkins.

But in the same time period, about 9,000 people received emergency food stamps from the state just in Lake, Porter and La Porte counties, said Jane Jankowski, spokeswoman for the state Office of Disaster Recovery.

At the door to the La Porte FSSA office was a piece of paper reminding people of the FEMA helpline and Web site that would allow people to register for FEMA aid.

Jenkins said that people who registered with local or state offices still need to register with FEMA to receive federal aid.

Williams, who between having to clean up after the flooding, said she has been continuing to clean up her home bit by bit, but a recent death in the family has only added to her grief. She said it will be a long time to get back to normal.

"I pray for the necessary (items lost) and I pray for the other stuff later," she said, adding she is praying for everyone to recover.

Craig Davison/For The News-Dispatch

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Disaster help still available

Craig Davison
For The News-Dispatch

LA PORTE - The Federal Emergency Management Agency has a presence in La Porte County following this month's floods, but victims still need to register for assistance over the phone or the Internet, according to a FEMA official.

La Porte County does not yet have a full disaster recovery center, like the three centers set up last week in Lake County. A center may be set up at some point in La Porte, but it has not been determined yet, said Sam Ventura, FEMA public information officer.

There is one FEMA official to answer questions at a station at the La Porte Family and Social Service Administration Office, 1230 W. Ind. 2.

The way to register for assistance is to call FEMA at 1 (800) 621-3362 or to go to its Web site, www.fema.gov, Ventura said. For TTY, the number is (800) 462-7585.

"They don't have to leave their house to get help," Ventura said.

In the first two days flood victims of La Porte, Porter and Lake counties could apply for assistance, more than 4,500 Hoosiers have applied.

The FEMA official at the FSSA office is to answer questions about registering for aid - it is not a way to register for aid.

"It's a face-to-face thing," Ventura said. "We want a presence here."

Flood victims in La Porte County can travel to the three disaster recovery centers in Lake County, but still must register over the phone first, Ventura said.

Registering with local or state agency for flood damages does not automatically register with FEMA.

La Porte County Emergency Management Director Paul Young said the local FEMA office will be open through 8 p.m. today. It is there for people who have questions after registering over the phone.

Once registered, people should expect a packet in the mail from FEMA that will give them further instructions, Young said.

"Each case is going to be handled on its own merit," Young said. "I'm sure everybody has a different problem."

[Southsider2k12]

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New disaster recovery site to open

From Staff Reports

INDIANAPOLIS - Federal and state officials have announced a new disaster recovery center will open in La Porte on Monday, Oct. 13, at La Porte Parks & Recreation Department, 250 Pine Lake Ave.

The center will be open from 2 to 7 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. thereafter, including Saturday. It will be closed Sunday.

Disaster recovery specialists will be available at the new center to meet with anyone who has questions about their applications for disaster assistance or needs help with disaster loan applications from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Information also will be available about other programs and services, such as rental resources and hazard mitigation.

Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the severe storms and flooding that occurred between Sept. 12 and Oct. 6 are urged to apply for assistance with FEMA by calling (800) 621-3362 or logging onto www.fema.gov. Those with hearing or speech impairments may call TTY (800) 462-7585.

Residents who already have filled out damage-report forms with the state, county emergency management or voluntary agencies must apply with FEMA to be eligible for federal assistance.

After having applied with FEMA, people may visit any recovery center for information or assistance with their SBA applications.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to and recovering from all domestic disasters.

[Roger Kaputnik]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=47368.51

There WAS somewhere for the water to go. Let this be a lesson that you cannot just pave over wet land and magically absorb rainfall. I am afraid that the people who planned and approved construction which ended up flooding will learn nothing, and regular python-boot-wearing folks will suffer the consequences.