Residents went to Genesis Center hoping to get federal aid to help cope with damage from violent storms that swept through the region in August, only to be turned away by security guards.

A City Hall news release announced that FEMA and state and county emergency management officials would set up an office in a Genesis Center ballroom, open six days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"The security guards said they had no idea what I was talking about," said Glen Park resident Judy Hart, who arrived shortly after 10 a.m. hoping for help with the cost of removing the maple tree that fell on her house.

"I tried to get there early, to beat the lines, and there was nobody there."

The relief agencies in the news release said they hadn't heard about plans to set up a disaster recovery office in Gary, and in fact, federal officials had turned down Gov. Mitch Daniels' request to designate parts of Lake County a federal disaster.

"We have not scheduled any meetings, and there was an (incorrect) suggestion here that there was a presidential disaster declaration, and there has not been any presidential declaration," said FEMA spokesman Eric Schmidt. "It appears there was a little mix-up at City Hall."

City spokeswoman Lalosa Burns said she sent out the release, but misunderstood the content of a conversation with state Emergency Management Agency officials.

"It appears there were some changes from the federal government side," Burns said, after discussions with officials from the state and FEMA.

"I'm very disappointed that release went out in a manner that was misleading to the citizens. It appeared as though it was in place."

The state has appealed for a review of the disaster claim, but there are no plans to set up an office until there is relief aid available.

Violent storms tore through Northwest Indiana, downing power lines, trees and causing severe damage to central Lake County and areas south and west.

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