Governor Mike DeWine is asking federal officials to speed up storm damage assessments across the state as Ohio continues to deal with repeated storms and heavy rain.
DeWine is requesting that FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration begin joint preliminary assessments now, rather than waiting for Ohio’s state assessments to be completed.
According to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, the assessments are needed before Ohio can seek additional federal assistance through a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration.
DeWine says Ohio has been hit by storms repeatedly since August 10, and the damage continues to grow because of the ongoing rain.
If the damage reaches federal thresholds, the following counties could qualify for FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program: Adams, Athens, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Darke, Franklin, Hamilton, Highland, Licking, Madison, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Preble and Washington.
For FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, the counties listed are Adams, Brown, Clermont, Fairfield, Franklin, Highland, Jackson, Madison, Meigs, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Preble and Washington.
All counties listed for either FEMA program would also qualify for the SBA’s low-interest disaster loan programs.
The assessments will help determine whether the damage meets federal requirements for additional assistance.
