Pence to appeal FEMA’s denial of flood recovery dollars

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Indiana Gov. Mike Pence will appeal a recent federal decision denying the state’s request for assistance to help local governments recover from flooding and severe storms.

The federal money was requested to help pay for an estimated $11 million in damages in 18 counties after severe summer storms deluged parts of the state, leading to flooding and crop damage.

Pence in a Monday news release says requested aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency would have paid for 75 percent of damage to public infrastructure in those counties. That includes damage to roads, bridges, parks and water control facilities. The federal assistance could also have helped pay for debris removal and traffic control.

A spokesman for the governor could not be reached to elaborate on the state’s request.