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The state of Ohio has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration to expedite damage assessments as soon due to the repetitive and ongoing storm impacts.
The request impacts Washington, Noble, Muskingum and Morgan counties, among others affected by recent storms.
Severe storms have caused flooding and tornados. Three tornados touched land at the same time in Washington County last month.
Because storms have continuously caused increasing damage, Gov. Mike DeWine is requesting that joint preliminary assessment teams from FEMA and SBA begin assessments now.
“Ohio has been incessantly hit by storms since Aug. 10, and without a break in the rain, the damage keeps building,” DeWine said. “We want our federal partners to proactively work alongside our state teams. The faster we get this done, the faster we can get help to those who need it.”
Federal law requires that joint assessments be completed before a state can request further support through a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration. Should the assessments find that damages meet certain federal thresholds, the following counties would qualify for support:
FEMA Individual Assistance Program: Adams, Athens, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Darke, Franklin, Hamilton, Highland, Licking, Madison, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Preble, and Washington.
FEMA Public Assistance Program: Adams, Brown, Clermont, Fairfield, Franklin, Highland, Jackson, Madison, Meigs, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Preble, and Washington.
All of the counties would qualify for SBA low-interest loan programs.