Pence's own home in Bartholomew County got off lightly, with water in the front and back yard but nothing near the house. Hundreds of homes in the Columbus neighborhood where he grew up aren't so lucky.

"Literally every one of these modest homes now has a four-or-five-foot pile of debris in front of it," Pence said after touring damage in Columbus Thursday night and Friday morning. "All of the contents of the homes are destroyed."

FEMA has phone lines open 10 hours a day at 1-800-621-FEMA. Pence recommends calling rather than going to FEMA field offices. He says it's more efficient, and you don't have to wait your turn outside in the weather.