Elkhart County residents still waiting for repair help a month after tornado

Courtney Mathews, Deputy Director of Administration and Support says the group “Elkhart County Community Organizations Active in Disaster” is sending a letter to all residents with documented tornado damage.

“These letters essentially ask people to confirm contact information because for some of these homes we just have an address, we don’t have a name, we don’t have a phone number, so we need that information and then we’re kinda asking what are your needs,” said Mathews.

The letters are going out Monday as 365 homes reported damage. Mathew encourages residents to call the phone number on the letter for their emergency management agency.

“This reason that this letter is important is because if our residents have long term recovery needs, we can connect them with a case manager potentially who can help them work through the insurance process, can help them if they need to take out a small business administration loan if that source of funding open up to us”, said Mathews.

Paul Seymore, a resident on Farmwood Drive, says his fence, roof, and trees are still in disrepair. “The roof... (it) took both porches, everything we had outside - gone,” said Seymore.

He says neighbors have been working together to clean up. “Nobody’s been out here to help.”

Mathew hopes these letters will help residents feel supported emotionally and mentally. She wants them to know the community cares, and they have support and people to rely on.