Families in four central Ohio counties hardest hit by August storms could receive up to $1,500 to help with the cost of rebuilding their lives.
On Sept. 14, the Ohio Controlling Board approved $500,000 in emergency disaster assistance for residents of Franklin, Morgan, Muskingum and Perry counties afterflash floods devastated the area.
Between Aug. 10 and Aug. 23, heavy rainfall and severe storms triggered flash flooding. Hundreds of residents were evacuated from their homes and some were rescued from surging waters. Homes, vehicles and businesses were damaged, with dozens becoming a total loss.
Those affected by the storms are now eligible for financial assistance to reimburse the costs of rebuilding. The money is available to those who have suffered
significant losses, including families with children, individuals age 55 and older and those with disabilities, and earn less than 300% of the federal poverty level, which is $47,880 for an individual and $99,000 for a family of four.
The maximum payment is $1,500 for families with children in the hardest-hit areas. County job and family services will handle these reimbursements, said state Sen. Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster.
The assistance is a stopgap as Ohio awaits a major disaster declaration from the federal government. Once approved, disaster survivors could seek reimbursement through FEMA and state dollars would cease.
“Today’s vote helps assure that assistance will be going out to these families and individuals in need,” Schaffer said. “I urge the DeWine administration to act quickly to get this much needed funding out as soon as possible.”
State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@usatodayco.com or @jbalmert on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Central Ohioans impacted by August floods eligible for financial help
