County Extends Disaster Declaration; Moves to Allow Temporary RV Housing for Flood Victims

The Fayette County Board of Commissioners voted 3–0 to renew the county’s local disaster emergency declaration, adopting Ordinances 2026-12 and 2026-13 to extend the order in seven-day increments through mid-September.

Emergency Management Director Wade Walling briefed officials on ongoing recovery operations following recent severe flooding, stressing that finding shelter for displaced residents must remain a top regional priority ahead of cold weather. Walling noted that EMA and regional directors have urged the state and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) to extend temporary hotel vouchers an additional 30 days while broader housing missions develop.

To prevent homelessness, the county is partnering with the Area Plan Commission to advance a targeted zoning amendment. The proposed measure will allow flood victims whose primary dwellings were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable to place and occupy a recreational vehicle (RV) on their parcels for up to 12 months. While residents must obtain a utility connection permit to ensure lawful and sanitary hookups to water and wastewater services, all associated permit and application fees will be waived. Commissioners expressed strong support, noting the policy keeps families rooted in their neighborhoods and children in their home school districts. In the interim, local building code enforcement regarding temporary dwellings remains on hold while formal adoption proceeds through county and city councils next month.

Additionally, Walling reported that a multi-agency “One-Stop Shop” is operating Thursday through Saturday at Baptist Temple. The center brings together roughly nine organizations—including FEMA, state housing liaisons, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (assisting with replacement IDs and vehicle titles), health services, and insurance representatives—to assist residents with in-person claims, case management, and recovery resources.