Seven Ohio counties impacted by severe weather in August have been approved for federal major disaster assistance President Trump and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The counties approved for federal major disaster assistance are Franklin, Licking, Clermont, Hamilton, Morgan, Muskingum, and Perry. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's office announced in a news release the evening of Oct. 2 that it had been notified of the approval.
DeWine had requested the declaration for 23 Ohio counties on Sept. 2. The 16 counties not addressed in FEMA's Oct. 2 notice are still pending review, as is a request for statewide hazard mitigation support is also pending., the news release states.
Preliminary damage assessments from multiple rounds of heavy rain, flooding
and 17 confirmed tornadoes statewide between Aug. 10 and 13 found that at least 50 homes and businesses were destroyed, 806 had major damage, and 475 had minor damage, the release states.
The major disaster declaration activates FEMA’s Individual Assistance Grant Program, which includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, rental assistance, replacement of personal property, crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance, and disaster legal services; and makes low-interest loans available through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Residents in the seven approved counties who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA app.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Franklin, Licking among 7 Ohio counties approved for federal disaster aid
