On Jan 9, the Hamilton County Commissioners signed paperwork declaring a disaster due to the recent severe snow and cold. Officials said the disaster was declared with input from local municipalities, the Indiana Dept. of Homeland Security, Hamilton County Emergency Management and other local officials.

The severe weather caused extensive damage to private and public property throughout Hamilton County – officials said no estimate of the total cost has been determined yet. The weather conditions hampered street clearing efforts which in turn forced many businesses and industries, as well as government offices and schools, to close. Public safety officials and highway workers spent numerous hours clearing roadways and assisting the public during the storm and are still working to help the county recover.

Declaring Hamilton County a disaster area permits local government officials to seek reimbursement of storm associated expenses from the federal government if a Presidential Disaster is declared.