The federal Small Business Administration declared a disaster in northeast Indiana counties and a few in northwest Ohio stemming from the June derecho.
The disaster declaration applies to Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Noble, Wells and Whitley counties, and Defiance, Paulding and Van Wert counties in Ohio.
During the night of June 13 and into the early morning hours of June 14, the area was battered by strong thunderstorms and sustained straight-line winds of nearly 100 mph as measured at the Fort Wayne International Airport.
The storm met the National Weather Service’s category for a derecho. Thousands were left without power, trees uprooted and buildings were damaged throughout the area.
An 89-year-old Waynedale woman died from injuries sustained during the storm when she was hit with a glass shard.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb requested the disaster declaration from the SBA, which provides area residents and business owners the opportunity to receive low-interest loans to help repair damage from the storm.
A SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays at the Southwest Allen County Fire District, 7001 Old Trail Road in Fort Wayne. It will remain open until July 21.
The deadline for SBA disaster assistance for physical damages is Sept. 6. The deadline for economic injury impact is April 10, 2023.
