INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WOWO): The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has granted Governor Mike Pence’s appeal for assistance for the severe winter storms that hit the state January 5th – 9th.  

On March 6th, Indiana requested federal grants for government and certain non-profit organizations in several Hoosier counties. However, FEMA denied that request. Governor Pence then filed an appeal against the agency’s decision and as of Tuesday afternoon, Governor Pence received word that FEMA had granted his appeal for the federal assistance.

The major disaster declaration from FEMA will allow grants to 19 counties. The state can now also request assistance for additional counties.

“This has been an arduous process, but the outcome is good news for Hoosiers,” said Governor Pence. “These grants will provide millions to local governments and select nonprofits that are hurting financially, and I congratulate the counties, cities, and towns for their perseverance.”

Counties granted public assistance include: Boone, Clay, Hendricks, Huntington, Jasper, Kosciusko, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Noble**, Owen*, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Tipton, Vigo, Wabash, White and Whitley**.

All counties except Owen (designated by an asterisk) also will receive 48 hours of snow assistance. Noble and Whitley counties (designated by two asterisks) will be provided 72 hours of snow assistance.

The public assistance grants will pay 75 percent of eligible expenses including debris and snow removal, emergency protective measures such as search and rescue, and damage to buildings and equipment.

Counties that were denied assistance include Allen, Benton, Blackford, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, DeKalb, Delaware, Elkhart, Fountain, Fulton, Grant, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, Howard, Jay, Johnson, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Marion, Miami, Montgomery, Rush, Shelby, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Warren, and Wells.