Governor DeWine Requests Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for August Storms

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine last week sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Ohio after severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes battered Ohio in August.

The request covers the following 23 counties: Adams, Athens, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Darke, Fairfield, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Licking, Logan, Madison, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Preble, Richland, Shelby, and Washington.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Small Business Administration (SBA) conducted preliminary damage assessments in these counties last week, finding that at least 50 homes and businesses were destroyed, 806 had major damage, and 475 had minor damage.

“Federal assistance will be critical in helping the Ohioans impacted by last month’s severe weather recover and move forward with their lives. These storms resulted in a disaster of such severity and magnitude that it exceeds the capabilities of the State of Ohio, local governments, and disaster relief organizations to provide comprehensive support,” said Governor DeWine.

Beginning on August 10 and continuing through August 23, multiple rounds of heavy rainfall and severe storms caused flash flooding and 17 confirmed tornadoes. At least four people were injured in the storms, two people died, and authorities made approximately 59 water rescues.

Governor DeWine’s request asks President Trump to activate 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. The letter also requests assistance from the SBA to offer low-interest loans to cover certain uninsured property losses and asks for the activation of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to help reduce future disaster losses.

“This federal assistance will support local and state efforts and help advance long-term recovery,” said Executive Director Sima Merick of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. “It will aid homeowners, renters, and businesses affected by these storms.”

Multiple state agencies responded during the immediate severe weather response:

• The Ohio Emergency Management Agency operated the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC), provided communications assets, and assisted counties with technical guidance, logistics and damage assessments in the field. Additionally, Ohio EMA provided guidance to the counties on recovery programs and supported field visits by Senators Husted and Moreno. An Integrated Public Alert & Warning System alert was issued for Roseville by Ohio EMA to provide timely public warnings and ensure residents received essential protective information as conditions changed.
• The Ohio Department of Transportation supported debris-removal efforts in Perry and Muskingum counties, provided aerial imagery of flooding on I-70, assisted public information operations at the Perry County EOC, and helped deliver pallets of bottled water.
• The Ohio Department of Natural Resources coordinated debris-removal operations, conducted levee and dam safety inspections, and deployed swift-water rescue teams to high-risk areas.
• Ohio Homeland Security assisted with sourcing bottled water through the Ohio Public Private Partnership (OP3).
• The Ohio State Highway Patrol provided law enforcement support, traffic management, and aviation resources to assist in the most affected areas. 
• The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency monitored drinking-water system issues, including several boil advisories, and oversaw environmental aspects of debris-cleanup.
• The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services coordinated mass-care operations with shelter partners, including the American Red Cross. 
• The Ohio National Guard transported water and supplies to multiple distribution sites, including direct deliveries to residents with accessibility needs, and assisted debris-removal operations in Muskingum County.
• The Ohio Department of Health provided safety information on bottled drinking water.
• The Ohio Department of Administrative Services assisted in the bottled water procurement process during the water outage in Crooksville.