The Lake Area Recovery Network is continuing to help area residents affected by flooding this past September.  

From September through December, the LARN handled 45 cases, serving more than one-hundred individuals with a total of more than 17-thousand dollars in direct assistance.  

The Lake Area Recovery Network first focused on immediate needs, or things like sump pumps, dehumidifiers and box fans.  Those needs later expanded to Christmas decorations and winter clothing for adults and school age children. Voucher agreements were made with local vendors in order to help meet these needs.  

The LARN has been focusing also on the mental health needs of those in the area, and has held ongoing meetings with Lake County Emergency Management, South Dakota Emergency Management, and staff with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Anyone who has experienced flood related losses that weren’t covered by insurance or FEMA are encouraged to contact the Lake Area Recovery Network to see if they may be eligible for some assistance through them.  There are no income guidelines to apply with the LARN.

Applications are available at Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership (or ICAP) in Madison, by contacting Lake County Community Service Worker Sarah Hock.   ICAP is located at 111 North Van Eps Avenue in Madison, and Hock can be reached by calling 256-6518, Extension 108.