Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today formally requested a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration from President Donald Trump following severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes that impacted the state throughout August. The declaration, if approved, would provide crucial federal assistance to 23 Ohio counties battered by the extreme weather.
Preliminary damage assessments conducted by FEMA and the Small Business Administration revealed significant devastation across Adams, Athens, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Darke, Fairfield, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Licking, Logan, Madison, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Preble, Richland, Shelby, and Washington counties. These assessments found at least 50 homes and businesses destroyed, 806 with major damage, and 475 with minor damage.
Governor DeWine emphasized the necessity of federal aid, saying, "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." The request specifically seeks FEMA's Individual Assistance Grant Program, SBA low-interest loans, and FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to support recovery and reduce future losses.
The severe weather, which occurred between August 10 and August 23, included multiple rounds of heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and 17 confirmed tornadoes. The storms resulted in four injuries, two fatalities, and approximately 59 water rescues. Executive Director Sima Merick of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency added, "This federal assistance will support local and state efforts and help advance long-term recovery. It will aid homeowners, renters, and businesses affected by these storms." Multiple state agencies, including Ohio EMA, ODOT, and the Ohio National Guard, were involved in the immediate response.