INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – State officials are seeking a federal major disaster declaration for central Indiana's Howard County because of damage during last month's wave of tornadoes and severe storms.
 
The governor's office says Gov. Mike Pence is asking that the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved grants and low-interest loans to help homeowners and business in and around Kokomo recover from the Nov. 17 storm.
 
The request says 191 homes in Howard County were destroyed or have major damage, with about 800 more with less-severe damage. The National Weather Service found that two tornadoes with winds of at least 120 mph hit Kokomo that day.
 
Pence's request says damage assessments are continuing and aid might be sought for more counties hit by the storm, including Daviess, Fountain and Grant counties.