(La Porte County, IN) – Following declarations of emergency in La Porte, surrounding areas, and statewide, Governor Mike Braun has announced that federal aid is on the way. President Trump approved the Governor's request for a Presidential Emergency Declaration following a call between the two earlier in the day. The approval makes up to $5 million in federal assistance available to support emergency response efforts across Indiana.
On Saturday afternoon, La Porte County Commissioner Joe Haney confirmed that the National Guard has arrived in La Porte County. Utility crews assigned to them, he said, will assist with clearing roads, power lines, snapped poles, and related debris.
Haney also offered the following important reminders:
Brush & Debris Placement
County residents may place tree limbs and brush along the front of their property in the right-of-way for future removal. Please do NOT place anything in the street itself. Removal may take some time.
Use 211
It is ESSENTIAL that every resident report storm damage through 211. These reports help IDHS and FEMA unlock and allocate recovery resources.
Residents in at-risk populations—including the elderly, people with disabilities, veterans, and those living below the poverty line—are especially encouraged to report damage.
211 can connect you with qualified charitable organizations that provide free services such as tree and debris removal, basement flooding remediation, and more. Links in first comment.
Haney urged patience as recovery efforts continue. "Please understand that if your street looks good today, many areas in the County still look like a war zone," he said. "It is going to take a long time to get back to normal."
Fefillable Oxygen Supply Available
County Commissioner Steve Holifield told HTNN that Emergency Management Director Rob Sabie has been able to procure an oxygen truck. The truck is currently at La Porte’s Fire Station 3 on 710 Daytona Street. “If someone’s refillable oxygen tank is low, they can refill it there,” Holifield said.
