NW Indiana residents turn to newly opened FEMA center as some report denied insurance claims
HOBART, Ind. (WLS) -- Residents recovering from the strong Aug. 11 storms in northwest Indiana are seeking financial assistance as Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster recovery centers continue opening across the region.
For a second day, a FEMA disaster center was open in Lake County, helping residents navigate the process of potentially receiving financial assistance on Saturday. The center is one of several locations FEMA is opening in northwest Indiana in the coming days.
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This weekend, the mobile disaster center is being housed at Hobart Fire Station No. 2. Many residents arriving at the center said they are facing significant repair costs and financial uncertainty following the storms.
"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.
Others said they are seeking information about available assistance before making decisions about how to pay for storm-related damage.
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.
