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Evansville council approves extension of local emergency proclamation to document flood damages for FEMA
Summary
The Evansville Common Council on May 19 adopted Resolution C-20-25-17 to extend a jointly declared local emergency with Vanderburgh County so local damage estimates can be compiled for FEMA; the extension follows an initial seven-day executive declaration under Indiana Code and may be extended again on EMA advice.
The Evansville Common Council on May 19 adopted Resolution C-20-25-17 to extend a joint local emergency proclamation for the city of Evansville and Vanderburgh County so damages from this year’s flood can be calculated for potential FEMA assistance.
City staff explained that under Indiana law the executive branch may declare a disaster for seven days and that any extension beyond that period requires governing-body approval. "The executive branch can declare a disaster for 7 days by Indiana code, and anything beyond that needs to be approved by the governing body," a staff member told the council during floor discussion.
The resolution formalizes coverage for the period "from when that initial 7 days ended through tomorrow," the staff member said, and staff noted the local declaration is needed because Vanderburgh County was not included in Governor Braun’s statewide declaration of emergency covering 26 counties. "We're doing it at the local level to ensure that we're covered," the staff member said.
During debate a council member moved to amend the resolution to list the council as a sponsor; the council adopted that amendment by voice vote before taking the final roll call. The council then voted by roll call with the following members recorded as voting "Aye": Councilman Trakman; Councilwoman Mosby; Councilman Hieronymus; Councilwoman Kayler Lindsey; Councilman Brickmeyer; Councilwoman Allen; Councilman Johnson; and Councilman Green. The clerk announced "There being 8 ayes and 0 nays, Resolution C-20-25-17 is hereby declared adopted."
Staff cautioned the council that the extension reflected the last recommended duration from the local Emergency Management Agency and that "we may be back for another extension." The resolution authorizes local officials to continue documenting damages so the state can compute totals for FEMA assistance.
No additional funding or programmatic actions were adopted as part of the resolution; the recorded action was the council’s approval of the extension and the administrative direction to continue damage documentation.
