DeWine seeks speedy federal storm review
Gov. Mike DeWine is asking federal officials to speed up damage assessments in Ohio as repeated storms continue to impact communities across the state.
DeWine announced that he has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration to begin conducting damage assessments as soon as possible rather than waiting for state assessments to be completed.
According to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, FEMA and SBA typically begin their work after the state agency completes its own damage assessments. With storms continuing to add to the damage, DeWine wants federal and state teams working at the same time.
“Ohio has been incessantly hit by storms since August 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 joint damage assessments before the state can request additional assistance through a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration.
If damages meet federal thresholds, 19 counties could qualify for FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program: Adams, Athens, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Darke, Franklin, Hamilton, Highland, Licking, Madison, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Preble and Washington counties.
Sixteen counties could qualify for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program: Adams, Brown, Clermont, Fairfield, Franklin, Highland, Jackson, Madison, Meigs, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Preble and Washington counties.
All counties included in either group could also qualify for SBA low-interest loan programs.
The assessments will determine whether damage is sufficient to meet federal thresholds for assistance and could clear the way for Ohio to seek additional federal support.
