Residents in Griffith experiencing storm-related damages need to promptly document their losses with the state. However, financial relief may not arrive for at least 90 days. A local disaster declaration was passed during a special meeting on Wednesday. This was in response to the severe storm on June 24, which felled over 300 trees, 70 utility poles, countless power lines, and left more than 6,000 residents without electricity for several days.
The declaration will remain effective until July 8. It authorizes the town and administrators to execute necessary actions for responding to the emergency, recovering from damages, documenting everything, and seeking assistance or reimbursement. According to Council President Rick Ryfa, residents must directly contact the state to document their damages. “The state’s assistance assessment will depend on the extent of damage in Griffith,” said Ryfa. Residents can report damages by calling 211, texting INOD to 898211, or visiting www.in211.org.
The initial damage assessment began on June 26 by Griffith officials and Lake County Homeland Security Deputy Director Paul Petrie. Griffith Police Chief Al Tharp emphasized the importance of tracking all cleanup activities. “Track every minute, overtime hours, equipment used, and any assistance, like the loaned woodchippers from St. John,” Petrie advised the council. This meticulous tracking aids in meeting the threshold required for public assistance. For individual aid, the impact statement is crucial.
Ryfa clarified that while there might be no ceiling on individual damage claims, the state will set a threshold that must be met collectively by the town. “The Indiana Director of Homeland Security urged comprehensive documentation for residents,” Ryfa stated.
Elizabeth Woods, from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, confirmed that Governor Mike Braun signed the State Emergency Disaster Declaration on June 18 for multiple severe weather-related events. This declaration allows residents in the affected 63 counties, including Lake County, to apply for individual assistance via the State Disaster Relief Fund. Applications are open for 90 days from the event, encompassing Griffith’s storm incident, and are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Power crews and residents have been actively working to clean up, as noted in instances like the Loudermilk family’s home, where falling trees damaged the property and destroyed a pickup truck. Parks Director Rich Powell reported 38 downed trees across several parks, and Public Works Director Andy Raab mentioned certain streets buckled due to high water levels.
Raab indicated that a thorough cleanup might take two to three weeks. “We are progressing well with tree removal, though it may take some time to complete,” he said.
Michelle L. Quinn contributed this report for the Post-Tribune.