Governor Mitch Daniels requested Thursday that President George W. Bush add Harrison, Jefferson and Jennings counties to the disaster declaration for severe weather that began Sept.12 as remnants of Hurricane Ike swept across the Hoosier state.
 
If granted, the federal disaster declaration would qualify residents for individual assistance.

Specifically, he has requested the Individual Assistance programs including the Individual and Household Program, Disaster Housing, Other Needs Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Unemployment Assistance and U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loans.
 
On Tuesday, Lake, LaPorte and Porter counties were designated for federal assistance.
 
Daniels said further damage may be identified and reserved the right to request the public assistance program when damage to the public infrastructure is better understood.

Additional counties may also be added as part of the major disaster determination as damage assessments are completed. Other counties that have suffered severe damage include Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Floyd, Jasper, Martin, Newton, Perry, Scott, Spencer and Switzerland.