President Trump has approved a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for seven Ohio counties hit by severe weather in August, Governor Mike DeWine was notified by FEMA on Friday afternoon.
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. It also makes low interest loans available through the Small Business Administration.
DeWine requested the declaration for 23 counties on September 2. The 16 counties not addressed in the notice of approval are still under review, and the request for statewide hazard mitigation support is also pending.
Beginning on August 10 and continuing through August 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 DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA app.