Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has issued a disaster emergency for 29 Indiana counties, including Kosciusko.

The declaration was signed Jan. 6 by Pence and is in effect for 30 days. It orders the Indiana Department of Homeland Security in all affected counties to coordinate necessary assistance with appropriate federal, state and local agencies.

The declaration is needed to potentially secure federal funds to help the state recover expenses from dealing with the weather. Meteorologists with the National Weather Service say parts of Indiana, including Kosciusko County, are experiencing some of the coldest temperatures in more than two decades.

“As a result of the severe snowstorms, extreme cold and dangerous wind conditions that have impacted counties across Indiana, I have declared a state of disaster emergency in the 29 counties that were most affected by the storm, and the State of Indiana stands ready to assist Hoosiers as needed,” said Gov. Pence. “We will continue to respond to this serious winter storm and evaluate its impact on other Indiana counties going forward.”

The counties included in the declaration are: Clinton, Delaware, Elkhart, Fulton, Grant, Howard, Jasper, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Marshall, Montgomery, Newton, Noble, Porter, Pulaski, Rush, St. Joseph, Starke, Steuben, Sullivan, Tipton, Vermillion, Vigo, Wabash, White and Whitley.

Assessments are ongoing and more counties may be added if needed. See Executive Order 14-1.