Published: September 17, 2008 02:40 pm      

Skillman surveys damage; Lt. Governor says 78 counties out of 92 in state have experienced a disaster

Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman visited Clark County on Tuesday to survey the damage wrought by the hurricane-force winds that swept the area Sunday.

“Our state over the summer has been pummeled and pummeled and pummeled,” she said at a press conference at The Stemler Corp. in Jeffersonville. “Seventy-eight counties statewide experienced a disaster this year. We want to assess the damage and determine how the state government can help going forward.”

State Rep. Steve Stemler, D-Jeffersonville, wrote Gov. Mitch Daniels on Monday to request a visit. After discussing the damage across the state, Daniels went to northwest Indiana and Skillman came south to Clark, Jefferson and Jennings counties.

It is likely Daniels will declare Lake and Porter counties disaster areas, so residents can receive federal assistance. The storm that hit the state Sunday resulted in flooding and wind damage in Northern Indiana, and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Department of Natural Resources, State Police and Indiana National Guard have been deployed to the area.

“(Northern Indiana) has a lot of flooding, but the governor needs to also see the damage here,” Stemler said.

Local elected officials from communities across Clark County came to greet Skillman and inform her of the damage.

“There’s still a lot of work to do out there,” said Jeffersonville City Councilman Ron Grooms. “It’s realistic to say it will take four weeks — there’s just only so much you can do in a day.”

The county still faces widespread power outages, and downed trees and debris litter roadways. Rural areas are in particularly bad condition, and also face the longest probable wait before power will be restored.

“We haven’t seen a Duke (Energy) truck,” said Utica Town Board President Hank Dorman. “We need to get our electric back up. I feel like we’re being overlooked in that regard.”

Dorman said 90 percent of Utica residents have no power. In Sellersburg, residents lack power, and also face a shortage of water. Charlestown Mayor Bob Hall said Duke Energy only has two men working in the city.

“They’re basically still rural areas exposed to the elements,” said Les Kavanaugh, the director of the Clark County Emergency Management Agency. “In terms of recovery and mitigation, urban areas are better off.”

Local officials urge residents to call city halls, police or fire departments to get information or assistance. Jeffersonville Mayor Tom Galligan said that the city is focusing on individual cases, such as residents who need medical help, food or shelter.

Charlestown officials have declared a state of emergency in the city. A sunset to sunrise curfew has been issued, and is being enforced by the city police department. A temporary shelter has been set up at Charlestown Middle School to assist residents in the area. About 60 percent of city residents were without power as of Tuesday afternoon.

“I find local emergency responders do a great job, but often they need special assistance from the state,” Skillman said. “We want to cover as much territory as we can.”