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Vanderburgh County extends local emergency proclamation through May 6 after late-March storms and flooding
Summary
The Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners voted April 28 to extend a joint local emergency proclamation tied to tornadic storms and flooding that began March 30; county emergency officials said the extension will support state damage-assessment efforts and any future request for state or FEMA assistance.
The Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners voted April 28 to extend a joint local emergency proclamation addressing damage from late-March tornadic storms and subsequent flooding through May 6, the board’s next regular meeting.
The extension was requested by Cliff Weaver, the county’s Emergency Management Agency director, who told commissioners that state officials had not yet met the threshold to request a state declaration that could lead to a FEMA disaster declaration and federal aid. “We are asking today that the joint declaration be extended,” Weaver said. “There are still 26 counties in Indiana that have a declaration. The state has not yet met their threshold to file for a state declaration, which would help us meet, or they would ask for a FEMA declaration.”
Weaver told the board that damage assessments are ongoing in Vanderburgh County and Evansville and that state assessment teams were expected to arrive Wednesday to begin the state portion of the assessment. He said some county roads still needed inspection and cleanup and estimated river or flood gauge readings “around 22 feet.” Weaver also said seven days “may put us close” to the end of the proclamation but that timing remained uncertain.
Commissioners moved and seconded a motion to extend the proclamation to May 6. The minutes record the roll call votes as Commissioner Gable — yes and Commissioner Canterbury — yes; the motion was approved. The record does not specify the mover or seconder by full name in the transcript excerpt. The board did not receive public comment on the motion.
During discussion, Weaver said he did not anticipate that the weather forecast for the following day would require additional assistance but noted crews should prepare for muddy conditions. The board agreed to revisit the proclamation at its regular meeting on May 6 and could extend it further if assessment results or conditions warrant.
Background: The original proclamation covered tornadic events beginning March 30, subsequent tornadic activity and heavy rainfall through April 2, and resulting flooding. County officials said the governor’s office and federal agencies determine thresholds for state and FEMA declarations; the county’s local proclamation is intended to support those potential requests and to allow county agencies to coordinate response and recovery activities while assessments continue.
