08/17/2026
🚨 INDIANA HOMEOWNERS AFFECTED BY THIS WEEK’S FLOODING… PLEASE READ & SHARE 🚨
If your home took on water or was damaged by the severe storms and flooding across Indiana this week, especially if you do not have flood insurance, please do not automatically assume you are completely on your own. 🏠❤️
There are things you should be doing right now that could be important if additional state or federal assistance becomes available.
📍 FIRST: REPORT YOUR DAMAGE
Please don’t assume someone already knows your neighborhood flooded.
Indiana is asking residents to report storm and flood damage through Indiana 211. These reports help local and state officials understand how many homes were affected, how severe the damage is and what additional assistance may be needed.
📞 Call 211 or 866-211-9966
🌐 You can also submit a damage report online through Indiana 211.
If your county or this storm event isn’t available through 211, contact your County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and report it directly.
Even if you aren’t sure whether you will qualify for any assistance later, REPORT THE DAMAGE.
📸 TAKE PICTURES & VIDEO BEFORE YOU THROW THINGS AWAY
I know the first instinct is to start ripping out wet carpet and drywall and getting ruined belongings out of the house.
Document it first.
Take pictures and video of things like:
• Water levels and water lines
• Drywall, walls, flooring and insulation
• Furniture and appliances
• Clothing and personal belongings
• Basement or crawlspace damage
• HVAC, electrical or mechanical equipment
• Structural and exterior damage
• Anything else damaged by the water or storm
Take more pictures than you think you’ll need.
🧾 SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS TOO.
Keep receipts for cleanup supplies, equipment rentals, repairs, contractors, temporary housing and other storm-related expenses.
Once everything is documented, safely begin removing wet materials and drying the home to help prevent additional damage and mold.
🏠 IF YOU HAVE INSURANCE, FILE THE CLAIM
If you have flood insurance, homeowners insurance or another policy that may provide coverage, contact your insurance company and start the claim process.
Keep copies of your claim, estimates, denial or coverage letters and all correspondence.
That paperwork can become important later because disaster assistance generally doesn’t duplicate losses already covered by insurance.
🇺🇸 IMPORTANT FEMA UPDATE
Indiana has now received a Presidential Emergency Declaration for this week’s severe weather and flooding.
BUT… this is important…
That does NOT mean FEMA grants for individual homeowners are automatically available right now.
The current federal emergency declaration helps Indiana with emergency response and recovery efforts.
If FEMA Individual Assistance is later approved for affected counties, eligible homeowners and renters may be able to receive help with certain uninsured or underinsured disaster-related needs, which can include things like necessary home repairs, temporary housing and essential personal property.
So please don’t ignore future announcements just because you don’t have flood insurance.
📞 FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362
💰 AND DON’T FORGET ABOUT SBA DISASTER ASSISTANCE
This surprises a lot of people:
SBA disaster assistance is NOT only for business owners.
When SBA disaster assistance is authorized for an affected area, eligible homeowners and renters may be able to apply for low-interest disaster loans for qualifying damage to a primary residence or personal property.
These are loans, not grants, so they do have to be repaid.
🏠 INDIANA MAY HAVE STATE ASSISTANCE TOO
Indiana also has a State Disaster Relief Fund that can sometimes provide assistance to eligible uninsured or underinsured Hoosiers after a qualifying disaster.
That does not mean the fund is currently open for this week’s flooding.
Watch for announcements from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security about whether assistance is opened for this particular disaster and which counties or homeowners qualify.
🧹 CHECK LOCALLY TOO
Your County EMA, local government, churches, nonprofit organizations, community groups and the American Red Cross may have information about:
• Cleanup assistance
• Flood cleanup kits
• Temporary shelter
• Food and water
• Debris removal
• Other local resources
❤️ And please share this with someone who needs it.
I keep seeing homeowners say, “I don’t have flood insurance, so there’s nothing I can do.”
Please don’t give up before you’ve checked.
Report the damage.
Take the pictures.
Save the receipts.
File the insurance claim if you have coverage.
And keep watching for assistance announcements for YOUR county.
Those steps matter.
My heart hurts for everyone who has walked downstairs, opened a basement door or returned home this week to find water where it absolutely shouldn’t be. It is overwhelming trying to figure out where to even begin.
Start with one thing at a time. ❤️
Please share this so it reaches Indiana homeowners who may need it.
Stay safe, Hoosiers. ❤️🏠
