Indiana Flooding: Your Action Guide

The actions you take in the first days after a flood event have a direct impact on your ability to receive assistance later. We want to provide the best assistance for your personal situation.

Important Notice Regarding Flood Damage

Standard homeowners, renters, and most commercial property policies do not cover flood damage. Flooding is treated as a separate peril under federal and private flood insurance programs. If you do not carry a separate flood policy, the steps in this guide are especially critical to help you access available government relief programs.

Why Acting Now Matters

The actions you take in the first days after a flood event have a direct impact on your ability to receive assistance later. Federal disaster aid eligibility is tied to statewide damage assessments, and those assessments are only as complete as the reports received from affected residents and businesses. Every report filed strengthens the case for a Major Disaster Declaration, which unlocks individual assistance programs through FEMA and low-interest loans through the SBA. Do not wait to clean up before documenting — and do not assume someone else has already reported your losses.

Immediate Safety First

Before re-entering any flooded structure, confirm the following:

Local authorities have declared the area safe for re-entry.
Utilities (gas, electric) have been shut off or inspected. Do not turn them back on yourself — contact your utility provider.
Wear rubber boots, waterproof gloves, and a mask. Floodwater commonly contains sewage, chemicals, and other hazardous materials.
Watch for structural damage — weakened floors, walls, and ceilings are a serious risk after flooding. If in doubt, do not enter.
Assume all standing water is electrically charged until confirmed otherwise.

Your Step-by-Step Action Plan

Step 1 — Document Everything Before You Touch Anything

Walk through every affected area and capture thorough photo and video documentation from multiple angles before any cleanup begins. This applies to your home, business, vehicles, outbuildings, and personal property. Photograph waterlines on walls, damaged flooring, ruined contents, and the exterior of the property. Keep every receipt for emergency purchases — generators, pumps, cleaning supplies, temporary housing — as these costs may be reimbursable. Back up your photos to a cloud service or email them to yourself immediately so they are not lost if your device is damaged.

Step 2 — Report Your Damage to Indiana 211 (Critical Step)

This is the single most time-sensitive action you can take. Indiana 211 collects damage reports that directly feed the statewide assessment used to determine whether a federal Major Disaster Declaration is approved for your county. The more people who report, the stronger the case.

Call: 866-211-9966
Online tool: in211.communityos.org

Filing a damage report now does not prevent you from applying for other aid later — it makes future applications stronger.

Step 3 — Contact Your Insurance Agent and File Claims Promptly

Reach out to your insurance agent as soon as possible, even if you are uncertain what your policy covers. Your agent can confirm your coverages, guide you on what to document for your specific policy, and connect you with your carrier's claims team. When you file a claim:

Request your claim number and your assigned adjuster's name and contact information in writing.
File under every applicable policy — homeowners, renters, auto (comprehensive), commercial property, business interruption, and/or flood if you carry it.
Do not authorize permanent repairs until an adjuster has inspected the damage, except for emergency repairs necessary to prevent further loss (and document those emergency repairs thoroughly).
Keep a written log of every call, email, and conversation with your insurance company, including date, time, and the name of the representative. Extend this same logging practice to all contractors, inspection vendors, and any other service providers you engage — noting what was discussed, what was agreed to, and any commitments made, so you have a clear record to reference if disputes or questions arise later.

If you are a McGowan Insurance Group client, call us at (317) 464-5000 and we will help you navigate the claims process.

Step 4 — Apply to Indiana's State Disaster Relief Fund

Indiana has activated a State Disaster Relief Fund under the Governor's emergency declaration. This fund is designed to assist households with losses that are not fully covered by insurance or other aid. You do not need to wait for a federal declaration to apply. Eligibility requirements and applications are managed by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

Website: in.gov/dhs

Step 5 — Register with FEMA If a Federal Declaration Is Approved

A Major Disaster Declaration with Individual Assistance would make FEMA programs available to affected Indiana residents and businesses. If and when that declaration is issued, register as quickly as possible — there are registration deadlines. Have your documentation, insurance policy information, and contact details ready before you begin.

Online: DisasterAssistance.gov
Phone: 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 1-800-462-7585)

FEMA individual assistance can help with temporary housing, essential home repairs for primary residences, and other uninsured or underinsured losses. It is not a substitute for insurance — FEMA assistance is typically limited — but it can provide critical bridge support.

Step 6 — Watch for SBA Low-Interest Disaster Loan Announcements

Once counties are officially designated under a federal disaster declaration, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) typically opens a disaster loan program for homeowners, renters, and businesses. These are low-interest loans — not grants — but they can cover losses that exceed insurance proceeds or fill gaps where no insurance existed. There is no requirement that you own a business to qualify for the homeowner/renter loan program.

Website: sba.gov/disaster

Step 7 — Stay Connected to Reliable, Official Sources

Misinformation spreads quickly after disasters. Rely on official sources for updates on declaration status, shelter locations, road closures, and relief program timelines:

Indiana Department of Homeland Security: in.gov/dhs
Your county's Emergency Management Agency website and social media pages
FEMA: fema.gov and @FEMARegion5 on social media
Indiana 211: dial 2-1-1 for community resource referrals

What Losses May Qualify for Federal Assistance

If Indiana counties receive a Major Disaster Declaration with Individual Assistance, FEMA and SBA programs can help cover uninsured or underinsured losses in the following categories:

Note: Federal assistance programs supplement insurance recoveries — they are not designed to replace what insurance should have covered. Document your insurance settlements before applying so FEMA can calculate any remaining eligible gap.

Document Checklist

Keep all of the following organized in one place (physical folder and digital backup):

Photos and videos of all damage (timestamped)
Insurance policy declarations pages for all policies
Claim numbers and adjuster contact information
Receipts for emergency repairs, cleanup supplies, and temporary housing
Proof of ownership for damaged property (titles, receipts, bank statements)
Indiana 211 damage report confirmation number
FEMA registration number (once obtained)
Contractor estimates and any signed repair contracts

This guide is provided for general informational purposes. Program availability and eligibility are subject to official government declarations and individual circumstances. Contact your insurance agent for policy-specific guidance.