The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated Jackson, Jennings, Lawrence and Shelby counties in Indiana as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by severe flooding that occurred from Aug. 8, 2009, and continuing.

Cleanup still isn't over in Southern Indiana. For months, we've told you about the struggles local Hoosiers are facing from the August 4 flooding. It's costing families big bucks, some are turning to loans as a last resort.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) notified the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) that the appeal for federal disaster assistance has been denied. The decision affects individual and public assistance grants to Hoosiers in southern and central Indiana who experienced damage from severe weather Aug. 4-9.

Indiana residents and businesses affected by the severe storms and tornadoes in Porter County on August 19, can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills announced today.