The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Friday notified Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine that President Donald Trump has approved a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for seven Ohio counties impacted by severe weather in August.
The counties approved for federal disaster assistance are Clermont, Franklin, Hamilton, Licking, Morgan, Muskingum and Perry.
The 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. The declaration also makes low interest loans available through the Small Business Administration (SBA).
DeWine requested the declaration for 23 counties on Sept. 2. The 16 counties not addressed in Friday’s notice of approval are still under review. The request for statewide hazard mitigation support is also pending.
Beginning on Aug. 10 and continuing through Aug. 23, multiple rounds of heavy rainfall and severe storms caused flash flooding and 17 confirmed tornadoes. Preliminary damage assessments found that at least 50 homes and businesses were destroyed, 806 had major damage, and 475 had minor damage.
Residents who sustained losses in the approved counties can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA app.
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