Sep. 25--A request for a disaster declaration related to heavy rains and ensuing flooding in Jackson and 13 other counties has been denied.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator W. Craig Fugate told officials that Gov. Mitch Daniels' request for a major disaster declaration caused by severe storms that began Aug. 4 was rejected, Duane Davis of Jackson County Emergency Management said Thursday.

Individual assistance was requested for Brown, Clark, Floyd, Franklin, Jackson, Jennings, Marion, Ripley and Rush counties.

Individual assistance could include grants for housing, possessions, vehicles, counseling, unemployment and U.S. Small Business Administration loans.

Davis said a survey he conducted with a team from the Federal Emergency Management Agency showed two Jackson County homes were destroyed by flooding and 10 others sustained major damage, which means they are not inhabitable without repairs to make them livable.

"There are probably another 40 homes with minor damage," Davis said.

Davis said some of those homes were surveyed by crews with his office or the Jackson County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Others reported damage online.

State officials were disappointed with the response.

"Repeated disasters over the past year have caused considerable hardships to these citizens in addition to this disaster," IDHS Executive Director Joe Wainscott said. "I am very disappointed for the individuals impacted by this decision. We know the affected Hoosiers have experienced great suffering. We are committed to seeking additional measures to provide needed support."

Other avenues of providing assistance include an appeal to FEMA for reconsideration of the disaster declaration, Small Business Administration loan assistance and possible relief through the state disaster fund.

Federal assistance was requested by Gov. Mitch Daniels on Sept. 10 following damage that occurred in the southern and central parts of the state from a tornado, severe straight-line winds, torrential rains and flooding that swept through the counties beginning Aug. 4.

The state's congressional delegation, including Indiana 9th District Rep. Baron Hill, supported the effort with a letter to President Barack Obama.

Hill was disappointed with FEMA's decision.

"Every day I am getting more and more calls from constituents and public officials about the damage that was done to southern Indiana communities during and after the severe storms in early August," Hill said Thursday. "These calls only reaffirm that I believe FEMA should reconsider its decision."

Hill said he supports Daniels' plans to appeal the FEMA decision.

Up to 10 inches of rain fell over a 23-hour period in some locations, quickly leading to severe flooding. The result was damage to many homes and personal property.

Public assistance was requested for Brown, Decatur, Floyd, Franklin, Jefferson, Jennings, Owen, Parke, Ripley and Switzerland counties.

Public assistance means state government and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations in those counties would be eligible to apply for federal assistance to pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and electrical cooperatives.

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