Several parts of Ohio were hit with severe weather in March 2026 that brought tornadoes, damage and debris to several counties. Governor Mike DeWine recently announced the activation of the State Disaster Relief Program, which will provide aid to 13 counties in need.
Here's what to know.
13 Ohio counties to receive disaster relief after March storms
The State Disaster Relief Program is a reimbursement program for costs associated with certain damage repairs, debris removal, and emergency protective measures. This program is for counties when storm damage amounts do not meet the threshold for federal assistance but do meet state program requirements, according to the Ohio governor website.
Counties that are impacted by severe weather and surpass a per capita threshold set by the program use the program to apply
for reimbursement for damage, Sandy Mackey of the Ohio EMA Public Affairs Office told the Dispatch.
The counties to receive relief include:
- Belmont
- Carroll
- Coshocton
- Guernsey
- Harrison
- Holmes
- Knox
- Licking
- Morrow
- Noble
- Perry
- Tuscarawas
- Van Wert
Those counties submitted an estimated $5,512,039 in disaster-related damages, Mackey said. Now, the EMA will begin working with them to provide reimbursements for storm damages.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Gov. DeWine announces disaster relief five months after severe weather
