2018 Indiana Winter Flooding Information and Tips - Bitly

2018 Indiana Winter Flooding Information and Tips Last updated Wednesday, March 29 2018, Noon ET The resources listed in this document are specific to the flooding in Indiana beginning February 15th, 2018. For updated information, Hoosiers may dial 2-1-1. The flood-related information is changing daily, so please check back for updates. If you have corrections or additions to this information, please contact: [email protected].

GOVERNOR DECLARES DISASTER EMERGENCY

Updated March 16, 2018: Governor Eric J. Holcomb has declared a Disaster Emergency for Carroll, Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Elkhart, Floyd, Fulton, Gibson, Harrison, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte Marshall, Noble, Newton, Ohio, Perry, Porter, Posey, Pulaski, Spencer, St. Joseph, Starke, Switzerland, Vanderburg, Vermillion, Wabash, Warren, Warrick, and White counties.

REPORTING DAMAGE

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has established a web-based form to capture damage information related to this event. You can report damage at http://bit.ly/2GrGvtR. Please note this information is used for damage assessment purposes only and is part of the State’s process to determine if damage is sufficient enough to request a disaster declaration from the President.

HELP FOR FLOOD SURVIVORS

INFORMATION AND REFERRAL - CALL 2-1-1

Call 2-1-1 to learn about info referenced in this document or for referrals to local services. Information is changing and updated frequently. Survivors are strongly urged to guard against fraud. State and federal agencies and volunteer organizations will provide credentials and services for free. If in doubt, ask for credentials. If you suspect fraud, call authorities.

SHELTER, FOOD, MEDICATION & MEDICAL EQUIPMENT No information available at this time.

SAND/BAG DISPOSAL No information available at this time.

DEBRIS REMOVAL

No information available at this time.

STORAGE INFO

No Information available at this time.

Check www.in211.org or dial 2-1-1 for updates. Copyright 2018. Indiana 211 Partnership, Inc. All rights Reserved. Indiana 211 is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

1

VOLUNTEER INFO

Volunteer opportunities will be available after a thorough assessment of the damage has been completed and it is safe to enter the area. CAUTION - Law enforcement officials do not allow anyone without credentials into affected areas. Do NOT self deploy to the area. TIPS ON VOLUNTEERING • Register and get prepared now! The recovery efforts will take time. Many volunteer deployments in the area require screening, immunizations, training and preparation. • When considering volunteering on-site, know yourself and your limitations. Disaster volunteering is not for everyone. Lots of volunteer options will be available in the coming weeks and months. • Out-of-area volunteers often need to be self-sustaining or need to provide their own financial support for incidentals. Please do NOT deploy directly to the area. LEARN ABOUT ORGANIZATIONS Indiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (invoad.communityos.org) INVOAD is an association of organizations, each with a special role in the different phases of disaster relief and recovery. INVOAD organizations respect each other’s expertise and support each other through sharing of information, and when possible, donations, and volunteers. Ask your local organizations or faith community if there are opportunities to get involved. Here are just a few examples of areas of expertise: Adventist Community Services - warehousing experts American Red Cross - shelter, supportive services for survivors Friends Disaster Services - debris removal, tree cutting, re-building The Salvation Army - mass shelter and food for survivors and on-site volunteers Samaritan’s Purse - canvassing and debris removal United Methodist Committee on Relief - provides health kits, personal care kits and cleaning kits See invoad.communityos.org for more information.

DONATION INFO

Remember to CARE! C: Cash - Your financial gift gets help to people FAST! A: Ask - Ask before collecting items that may not be needed. R: Respond - Volunteer with a relief or long-term recovery organization. E: Everyone can help! TIPS ON MAKING DONATIONS • To maximize your donation, support recognized organizations that have experience in disaster recovery. • If you want your CASH donation to be used to support survivors or the recovery efforts for Tornado survivors, specify Tornado Response, COUNTY NAME with your donation. • Monetary Donations are most in need: Red Cross: 1-800-733-2767 or $10, Text: RedCross, 90999; Salvation Army: $10, Text: Hoosier, 41444. • Check out organizations with the Better Business Bureau Charity Division (http://www.give.org/) or with Guide Star (http://www.guidestar.org/). Charitable nonprofit organizations should be able to provide you a Check www.in211.org or dial 2-1-1 for updates. Copyright 2018. Indiana 211 Partnership, Inc. All rights Reserved. Indiana 211 is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

2

copy of their mission statement, tax returns, board lists, etc., upon request. • Unless you know where the goods are going, how they being transported, and how they are being distributed, they may go to waste. Verify current lists of items needed and destination plans. Do not organize a drive a drive unless you have confirmed that a reputable recovery organization will handle the storage, transportation and distribution. • Please do not donate anything that you would not use yourself. Organizations are overwhelmed with clothing and other items that are in such poor condition that they are thrown away. Please DO NOT SEND used clothing—If you have already collected clothes, hold a yard or rummage sale and donate the cash funds to recovery efforts. SUPPORT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS Support the volunteers and staff who are working in the response effort. A note of thanks, a delivered pizza or food treats, gasoline cards, gift certificates and more will show that you appreciate their long hours and dedication. Many organizations often receive little to no additional donations and little recognition for the work they do. Many of these organizations will be working for months after the initial crisis is stabilized. They need your support.

Check www.in211.org or dial 2-1-1 for updates. Copyright 2018. Indiana 211 Partnership, Inc. All rights Reserved. Indiana 211 is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

3