Husted, Moreno, Balderson back disaster declaration for Ohio following severe storms

COLUMBUS – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) joined Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Rep. Troy Balderson (R-Ohio) today in urging President Donald Trump and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to grant a major disaster declaration for Ohio following devastating damage caused by severe storms that moved through Ohio on Aug. 10-23, 2026.

The letter backs the request made on Sept. 2 by Gov. Mike DeWine for a major disaster declaration.

Federal assistance is necessary to supplement the efforts and resources available to the state, local governments and disaster relief organizations.

“We write in strong support of Governor Mike DeWine’s request for a major disaster declaration, which was submitted to FEMA Region V on September 2, 2026,” wrote the lawmakers.

“Between August 10, 2026, and August 23, 2026, severe and extreme weather, including a derecho, tornadoes, and catastrophic flooding, spread across much of Ohio. These storms tragically resulted in two deaths, numerous injuries, left 300,000 Ohioans without power, and destroyed hundreds of homes, properties, and businesses belonging to our constituents,” they continued.

“We thank you for your administration’s rapid assistance and coordination to support the State of Ohio and Ohioans impacted by these devastating storms. We respectfully urge you to quickly approve the Governor’s request for a major disaster declaration for the State of Ohio to help our constituents begin the process of rebuilding,” they concluded.

The letter requests a major disaster declaration for Ohio and activation of the following programs:

Individual Assistance Grant Program, including the Crisis Counseling Program, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Disaster Case Management and Disaster Legal Services, for 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;

FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program for direct federal assistance;

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program statewide; and

SBA Physical Damage Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans programs.
 
This comes after the lawmakers sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton and U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler requesting they begin conducting damage assessments in Ohio as soon as possible due to the repetitive and ongoing storm impacts.