FEMA Aid Center Opens in Hobart, Indiana After Storm Damage

HOBART, Ind. (WLS) — Northwest Indiana residents still cleaning up after the powerful Aug. 11 storms are looking for help with mounting repair bills as the Federal Emergency Management Agency expands its disaster recovery presence across the region.

A FEMA disaster recovery center in Lake County remained open Saturday for a second day, offering residents guidance on how to apply for potential financial assistance. It is among several FEMA locations expected to open in northwest Indiana in the days ahead.

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Over the weekend, the mobile disaster recovery center was operating out of Hobart Fire Station No. 2. Many people who stopped by said the storm left them with expensive damage and few clear answers about how they would afford repairs.

“I have two giant holes in my roof, and I don’t have money to fix it. I’m a senior citizen, and I don’t get a lot of Social Security. I don’t have savings, I just don’t have it,” said Lake Station resident Stephanie Matyi.

Other storm victims said they came to learn what assistance may be available before deciding how to cover the cost of repairs tied to the severe weather.

Susan Murrah, a homeowners association member in Hobart, said cleanup and repair costs could be substantial for her neighborhood and that residents are hoping government assistance may help offset some of the expenses.

“If we can get funding, we want to make sure we know about it and we can do it. If we can’t, we need to know that, too. Maybe there’s other avenues we can take, because a lot of the residents in our neighborhood, they’re older. A lot of people live on their Social Security, and a special assessment would be really difficult,” Murrah said.

Some residents said they are uninsured, underinsured, or have had insurance claims denied.

“They didn’t cover everything that was damaged to my house. Now, I’m looking for extra help,” Gary resident Bernice Martin said.

While FEMA representatives are assisting residents with applications and recovery information, those seeking help acknowledged that the recovery process will take time.

When asked whether he was hopeful about the future, Merrillville resident Ricardo Medina responded, “Hopefully, hopefully it is hopefully one day there is.”

FEMA officials are expected to remain in northwest Indiana in the coming days. A team is scheduled to be in Hobart on Saturday and Sunday before moving to Crown Point, Gary, and Munster next week:

• Friday, Aug. 28: Crown Point — 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Lake County Purdue Extension 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point, IN, 46307.




• Saturday, Aug. 29: Hobart — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hobart Fire Station #2 2411 W. Ridge Rd., Hobart, IN, 46342.




• Sunday, Aug 30.: Hobart — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hobart Fire Staation #2 2411 W.Ridge Rd., Hobart, IN, 46342.




• Monday, Aug. 31: Crown Point — 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Lake County Purdue Extension, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point, IN, 46307.




• Tuesday, Sept. 1: Gary — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., United Steelworkers Local, 1014 1301 Texas St., Gary, IN, 46402.




• Wednesday, Sept. 2: Gary — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., United Steelworkers Local, 1014 1301 Texas St., Gary, IN, 46402.




• Thursday, Sept. 3: Gary — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., United Steelworkers Local, 1014 1301 Texas St., Gary, IN, 46402.




• Friday, Sept. 4: Munster — 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lions Club Social Center, 8751 Lions Club Dr., Munster, IN, 46321.




• Saturday, Sept. 5: Munster — 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Lions Club Social Center, 8751 Lions Club Dr., Munster, IN, 46321.