08/16/2026
https://www.redcross.org/local/indiana/get-help.html
To our friends, neighbors, clients, and communities throughout Richmond, Wayne County, and the surrounding areas:
With severe storms, heavy rain, and flooding impacting communities throughout Indiana, some of our local families may be dealing with flooded basements, water intrusion, downed trees, roof or siding damage, power-related issues, or other damage to their homes and property.
If your home has been affected, knowing what to do right now can make a big difference in the days and weeks ahead. Please share this information with anyone in our community who may need it.
First and foremost, put safety first.
Never enter standing water when there could be electrical hazards, structural damage, contaminated water, or other unsafe conditions. Stay away from downed power lines, and never attempt to walk or drive through floodwaters.
For life-threatening emergencies or an immediate threat to people or property, call 911.
Report your damage.
Damage reporting is extremely important. Local and state officials use these reports to determine how widespread and severe an event has been and what additional disaster recovery resources or assistance may be needed.
For storm events currently activated for damage reporting through Indiana 211, residents can call 211 or 866-211-9966.
If Wayne County or your particular storm event is not currently activated through Indiana 211, residents can contact Wayne County Emergency Management Agency at 765-973-9399 for local information and guidance.
Before cleaning up, document EVERYTHING you safely can.
Take plenty of photos and videos before removing damaged materials, making permanent repairs, or throwing belongings away.
Document things such as:
• Standing water and visible water lines
• Basements and crawlspaces
• Flooring, drywall, ceilings and walls
• Roof, siding and exterior damage
• HVAC, electrical and mechanical systems
• Furniture and appliances
• Personal belongings
• Garages, sheds and other structures
• Fallen trees and other property damage
When possible, take both wide-angle photos showing the overall damage and close-up photos of individual damaged areas and belongings.
Save your receipts, too.
Keep receipts and records for cleanup supplies, equipment rentals, temporary repairs, contractors, temporary housing, and other necessary storm-related expenses.
After you’ve thoroughly documented the damage, take reasonable and safe steps to prevent additional damage and begin drying the property as soon as it is safe to do so.
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
Notify your homeowners or renters insurance carrier and ask what documentation they need before damaged property is removed.
Coverage for flooding, sewer backups, groundwater, wind-driven rain, roof damage, fallen trees, and other storm-related losses can vary significantly depending on the cause of the damage and your individual policy.
Don’t assume something is—or isn’t—covered. Contact your insurance provider and let them make that determination based upon your policy and the circumstances.
The American Red Cross may also be able to help.
Wayne County is served by the American Red Cross Indiana Region – Southeast Chapter, with a local Red Cross office located at 829 E. Main Street in Richmond.
If you or someone you know has been displaced or needs assistance following a disaster, the Red Cross may be able to provide or connect you with resources including:
• Emergency shelter
• Meals, snacks and water
• Cleanup and emergency supplies
• Disaster-related health services
• Emotional and mental health support
• Help replacing lost prescriptions or eyeglasses
• Assistance reconnecting with loved ones
• Caseworkers and disaster recovery planning
• Information about other available community resources
• Financial assistance in certain qualifying disaster situations
Red Cross disaster assistance is provided at no cost.
For disaster assistance in Indiana, call the American Red Cross at 888-684-1441 or 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).
If you’ve been displaced and need somewhere safe to stay, the Red Cross can also help locate currently available emergency shelters.
Additional state or federal disaster assistance may become available.
Depending on the extent of the damage and any local, state, or federal disaster declarations, additional assistance may become available through programs such as the Indiana State Disaster Relief Fund, FEMA Individual Assistance, or SBA Disaster Assistance.
These programs are not automatically available following every storm, and eligibility can depend upon the specific disaster declaration, location, insurance coverage, and other requirements.
The U.S. Small Business Administration may also make low-interest disaster loans available to qualifying homeowners and renters—not just businesses following eligible disasters. Remember that SBA assistance is generally a loan that must be repaid, not a grant.
Please be cautious when hiring someone for cleanup or repairs.
Major storms unfortunately create opportunities for dishonest or unqualified contractors to target homeowners who need immediate help.
Before handing over a large deposit or signing a contract, verify who you’re hiring, ask questions, get the agreement in writing, and be cautious of anyone using high-pressure tactics or making promises that sound too good to be true.
And most importantly, take care of each other.
If your home wasn’t affected, check on your neighbors. Check on elderly residents, families with young children, and anyone who may need an extra set of hands moving belongings, cleaning up, finding resources, or simply figuring out where to start.
If you know someone in Richmond, Centerville, Cambridge City, Hagerstown, or anywhere throughout Wayne County and our surrounding communities dealing with storm or flood damage, please share this post with them.
From all of us at REMAX ONE, our thoughts are with every family dealing with the aftermath of these storms.
Stay safe. Help your neighbors. Take care of one another. 🤜🤛
❤️🤍💙 ONE Family. Many communities. Here when our neighbors need us.
