FEMA Denies Disaster Declaration for October Tornado

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Dave Paulson notified the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) that FEMA has denied Indiana's request to declare a major disaster as a result of the severe storms and F3 tornado of October 18. The state requested the disaster declaration based on preliminary assessments of damage in Kosciusko, Elkhart and Marshal Counties. In its letter, FEMA indicated that the damage to the private sector was not severe enough to warrant the a disaster declaration and assistance under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.