Deadline nears to apply for federal aid after March tornadoes

The deadline is coming up soon if you need to apply for disaster aid from the March tornadoes.

Federal officials say you must apply by June 14th to be eligible for assistance. Anita Steenson, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Small Business Administration explains:

A disaster declaration covers the severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes that hit Indiana on March 31st and April 1st including Monroe and Johnson counties. Adjacent counties are also included in the SBA declaration, with Bartholomew, Brown, Jackson and Shelby county businesses and organizations eligible for economic injury assistance.

FEMA assistance can include funds for temporary housing while you are unable to live in your home, to repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes, as well as for expenses, such as repair or replacement of personal property and vehicles, moving and storage, medical, dental, childcare and funeral expenses. The U.S. Small Business Administration offers long-term, low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profits to cover losses not covered by other sources.

To apply for assistance you can go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, you can download the FEMA App for mobile devices or call 800-621-3362.

To get assistance in person you can visit a Disaster Recovery Center to meet with specialists from FEMA and the SBA.. No appointment is needed, and survivors from any designated county can visit any center. The disaster recovery centers are in Sullivan, Johnson and Morgan Counties and are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

The Johnson County center is at 999 North Front Street in Whiteland.