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Resources for Hoosiers Impacted by August 2026 Storms

AARP

Published August 26, 2026

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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.

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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.

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.

SNAP Replacement Benefits

SNAP households that lost food because of storm damage or power outages may qualify for replacement benefits. Submit the required affidavit within 10 days through the FSSA Benefits Portal, by fax at 888-436-9199, or at a Division of Family Resources office. Lake and Porter county residents have until Aug. 31 to request replacement SNAP benefits.

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

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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

After a disaster, scammers may offer fake repair services, insurance help or disaster relief. Be cautious with unsolicited calls, texts, emails or door-to-door offers, and do not share your Social Security number, bank information or insurance details with someone you do not know. Report suspected scams to the Indiana Attorney General’s office at 1-800-382-5516 or visit indianaconsumer.com. You can also report fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For free scam prevention tips and one-on-one guidance, contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network or call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

Travel and road conditions

Before traveling, check 511 Indiana for road conditions and closures and Indiana’s Travel Advisory Map for county-level warnings, watches and advisories. Never drive through flooded roadways or around barricades.

Mental health and crisis support

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988.

Disaster Distress Helpline

Call or text 800-985-5990. Spanish speakers can press 2. You can also text TalkWithUs to 66746.

Local support

Indiana 211 can connect residents with local mental health resources. Call 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966.

Use this quick-reference chart to find the right next step.

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.

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