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EMA reports county damage totals at $712,000; FEMA threshold for county aid may be $1.2 million
Summary
St. Joseph County emergency management said damage reports submitted so far total about $712,000 and that the state is indicating a $1.2 million municipal cost threshold for county-level FEMA assistance; municipalities are continuing to compile damage claims.
St. Joseph County Emergency Management on April 22 updated commissioners on storm-related damage reporting and the county’s application for state and federal assistance.
Al Kurzitz, director of St. Joseph County EMA, said county-submitted damage totals currently are about $712,000 and that the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) and state officials now indicate the county may need roughly $1,200,000 in municipal costs to qualify for FEMA assistance, a threshold driven by the county’s population. "That was not originally ... that was never a thing," Kurzitz said, describing evolving guidance from the state. Kurzitz added South Bend’s totals were still pending and that Mishawaka’s municipal electric utility sustained significant losses.
Kurzitz said county staff are still entering damage data into the state’s 2-1-1 portal and are trying to meet other FEMA criteria such as the number of houses with major damage; he said the state and FEMA are assembling a package to have a FEMA team analyze the county’s damage claims. Kurzitz urged municipalities to track costs from the start and noted a threshold of 25 houses with major damage is commonly used in damage assessments.
Commissioners thanked EMA staff and municipal partners for compiling information. No decision about formal disaster declaration or reimbursement was made at the meeting; Kurzitz said staff will continue to work with state officials and will update the board as the package evolves.
