Porter County outlines debris cleanup plan, seeks FEMA reimbursement support after derecho

Porter County leaders told residents they are moving quickly to clear roads and document damage after a derecho that struck the northern part of the county on Aug. 11. The councilpresiding officer said protecting eligibility for federal reimbursement requires careful documentation, contractor selection and strict oversight.

The county outlined a three-part approach: open additional drop-off sites because compost facilities are near capacity; solicit qualified contractors to collect and haul storm debris; and engage a consultant to track debris "from cradle to grave" and prepare FEMA applications. Mike Jable, who the council said has been organizing scope-of-work efforts, said the consultant role is to make sure "the i's are dotted, t's are crossed" and to maximize reimbursement.

Officials said the pickup rule will be practical: if vegetation is placed within 10 feet of the pavement, county crews or contractors can collect it, which should reduce duplicate handling and pressure on compost sites. Staff cautioned that FEMA approval is not guaranteed; the county expects consultant fees to be reimbursable if federal funds are authorized.

Commissioners and staff warned cleanup could take weeks or months and that large contractor contracts will be necessary. The county will release requests for proposals and said it is expediting contractor registration and permits to accelerate repairs. Residents were urged to hire registered, bonded and insured contractors and to check county and EMA web pages for updates.