Get the app that makes your AARP membership truly mobile!

Content starts here

Resources for Hoosiers Impacted by August 2026 Storms

AARP

Updated September 08, 2026

GettyImages

If you or someone you care for was affected by the Aug. 11 storms, help is available. This guide highlights trusted statewide resources for reporting damage, asking about assistance, finding shelter or food support, protecting yourself from scams and getting emotional support during recovery.

More Ways to Benefit

View All

Related Benefit 1
Related Benefit 2
Related Benefit 3
Related Benefit 4
Related Benefit 5

Start here if you are not sure where to begin

Indiana 211

Call 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966, or visit Indiana 211, to report storm damage and connect with local help for food, shelter, housing, transportation and other essential needs.

Indiana Department of Homeland Security

Call 317-232-2222 or visit the August 2026 Disaster Information Hub for statewide updates, State Disaster Relief Fund information and disaster assistance resources.

Financial assistance and benefits

State Disaster Relief Fund

Hoosiers whose primary residence was damaged by the Aug. 11 disaster may qualify for help through the State Disaster Relief Fund. Assistance may be available for eligible uninsured losses, including certain home repairs, essential furnishings and appliances, essential tools, debris removal, medical devices and essential transportation. Impacted residents may be eligible for emergency aid grants of up to $5,000.

Apply or ask questions: Call Indiana DHS at 317-232-2222, visit the Indiana DHS Information Hub, or use the State Disaster Relief Fund application.

Federal Disaster Assistance

President Donald Trump approved Indiana’s request for a major disaster declaration on August 25, making FEMA assistance available to eligible storm survivors in approved counties.

Individual assistance is approved for residents in Carroll, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Porter, Pulaski, Randolph, Rush, Tipton, Union and Wayne counties. Additional counties may be added as damage reviews continue.

FEMA individual assistance may help with disaster-related needs, including certain uninsured or underinsured losses.

Hoosiers in need of individual assistance, can apply at disasterassistance.gov. Please note, residents who applied for the State Disaster Relief Fund, must also apply for FEMA disaster assistance to qualify for federal resources.

Public assistance is approved for Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Henry, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Porter, Tipton and Wayne counties to support emergency work and repairs to public facilities.

Veterans

Veterans and their families who were displaced by severe weather or flooding can visit the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs Military Family Relief Fund page or complete the disaster emergency application.

Reporting damage and documenting losses

Report storm damage through Indiana 211 by calling 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966, or by using the 211 damage reporting tool. Reporting damage helps local and state officials understand community needs, but it does not automatically apply you for financial assistance.

When it is safe, take photos and videos of damage and save receipts for repairs, temporary housing, replacement items and other disaster-related expenses. These records can help with insurance claims and possible assistance applications.

Housing, shelter and cooling centers

Emergency Shelters

Find American Red Cross shelters online or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Cooling Centers

Visit on.in.gov/coolingcenters for current cooling center information. Availability may change as power is restored, so check before traveling whenever possible.

Temporary Housing

Displaced households may be eligible for temporary housing grants to help transition from emergency shelters into hotels, apartments or other temporary accommodations. Visit Indiana 211, call 211, or call Indiana DHS at 317-232-2222 with questions.

Insurance, scams and consumer protection

Insurance Questions

Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. For help understanding next steps with insurance, call the Indiana Department of Insurance at 317-232-2385 or visit IN.gov/IDOI.

Scams and Fraud

Unfortunately, scammers often target communities recovering from disasters. Be cautious of unsolicited calls, texts, emails, or door-to-door offers claiming to provide disaster relief, insurance assistance, or home repair services. Never share your Social Security number, banking information, or insurance details with someone you do not know.

To protect yourself:

Be wary of contractors who show up uninvited, pressure you to act immediately, or offer steep discounts for quick decisions.
Verify licenses, check references, and get multiple estimates before hiring anyone for repairs.
Insist on a written contract that clearly outlines the work, costs, and timeline.
Avoid large upfront payments, especially cash payments.
Keep copies of contracts, receipts, warranties, and all project-related documentation.

If you suspect a scam, contact the Indiana Attorney General's Office at 1-800-382-5516 or visit IndianaConsumer.com. You can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

AARP has several tip sheets and resources available to help avoid various disaster scams, including:

For free fraud prevention tips and one-on-one support, contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network or call the Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

Taxes

Individuals and businesses in 21 Indiana counties impacted by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that began on August 11, 2026, have received additional time to meet certain federal and state tax obligations.

The IRS and Indiana Department of Revenue have extended eligible tax filing and federal tax payment deadlines that fall between August 11, 2026, and February 1, 2027. Affected taxpayers now have until February 1, 2027, to file qualifying returns and make eligible payments.

The extension also applies to taxpayers who requested a valid extension to file their 2025 individual income tax return. However, any tax payments associated with those returns that were originally due on April 15, 2026, are not eligible for the disaster-related extension.

The relief applies to residents and businesses located in Carroll, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Porter, Pulaski, Randolph, Rush, Tipton, Union, and Wayne counties.

If you receive a penalty notice for a tax deadline that falls within the postponement period, contact the IRS or Indiana Department of Revenue using the phone number listed on the notice to request penalty relief.

Unemployment Assistance

Section	Next step
Start here if you are not sure where to begin	Call Indiana 211 at 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966, or call Indiana DHS at 317-232-2222.
Financial assistance and benefits	Ask Indiana DHS about the State Disaster Relief Fund or submit SNAP replacement benefit requests through FSSA.
Reporting damage and documenting losses	Report damage through Indiana 211 and save photos, videos and receipts.
Housing, shelter and cooling centers	Call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767, call 211, or check on.in.gov/coolingcenters.
Insurance, scams and consumer protection	Call the Indiana Department of Insurance at 317-232-2385, report scams at 1-800-382-5516, or call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360.
Power outages and safety	Check your utility’s outage updates. For downed NIPSCO lines, stay away and call 800-464-7726.
Travel and road conditions	Check 511 Indiana and the Indiana Travel Advisory Map before traveling.
Mental health and crisis support	Call or text 988, call or text 800-985-5990, or call Indiana 211 for local support.

Information and available resources are changing as recovery continues, so verify hours, eligibility and availability before traveling to a resource location. For the latest statewide updates, visit the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s August 2026 Disaster Information Hub.

AARP Membership

Join AARP for only $15 per year with automatic renewal. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of benefits, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine.

Join