On September 20, 2002, tornadoes ran amuck through 14 Indiana counties and caused severe damage in 10 others. Many of the properties suffering the most severe damage were Indiana HUD's Multifamily Projects.

Amber Woods Apartments in Indianapolis was hit the hardest, with seven or eight buildings - to date - totally demolished or determined to be beyond repair. Many other Amber Woods buildings were being evaluated by engineers for extensive structural damage. Seven other buildings in the development were declared "uninhabitable" due to a serious gas leak. In all, 65 families will be displaced for up to eight months, and another 80 families will be displaced for up to three weeks.

Other Indiana projects also experienced serious tornado damage. Some of the hardest hit included Heather Heights (Martinsville, IN), Maple Shade (Ellettsville, IN) and Richland Senior Citizen Housing (Ellettsville, IN). In all cases, the affected residents were relocated while the damages are being assessed. The Indiana Office has been in contact with owners and/or management agents of all the affected properties and are visiting these properties or obtaining full descriptions of the damages incurred. Governor O'Bannon declared a state disaster condition, and President Bush issued a disaster declaration on September 25, 2002.

Acting Field Office Director, Bill Fattic and Multifamily Housing Director, Willis E. Sly have worked directly with the Indianapolis Mayor's Office, Congressional representatives, the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Warren and Lawrence Township Trustees, Caf� (CDC) and the Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) to quickly relocate displaced persons into decent, safe and sanitary temporary housing. IHA has placed 23 families in available public housing units, and Indianapolis multifamily housing staff are coordinating placement of families in other multifamily developments in the area.