Flooded Farmers

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced by floods across the Midwest. The damage is estimated to be in the billions of dollars. But people in central Indiana may soon be getting state and federal aid thanks in part to an Indiana budget surplus. In parts of Sullivan county, its crops as far as the eye can see. But you dont have to go far to see this crop fields buried by the floods. Congressman Brad Ellsworth says the state and federal governments are taking unheard of measures to help flood victims. "A disaster relief superfund app. Three point eight billion, its never been done." Earlier this year, analysts predicted a bumper crop for Indiana farmers. But the flooding washed out farmers yeilds in at least 1/3 of Indianas 92 counties. Theyve now been officially declared disaster ares. Farmer Mike Carnahams seen flooding before, hes been farming for almost 50 years. But this one, he says, is gonna hurt. "A year without income, 60% of us have insurance, but just for crop input." Its not a pretty picture, but if there were a silver lining to this cloud its that farmers are expected to be able to plant again this summer. And for many, it wont be the last. "Its been rough, a farmer in Posey County has planted his crops three different times." Carnaham says the government aid will surely help, and knows things could be a whole lot worse. "Financially, its difficult but we have our health." And soon they hope to have new crops. Besides the three point eight billion dollars in promised aid, the state of Indiana has put together a trust fund to cover expenses in the event of another disaster of this magnitude.