Governor DeWine requests expedited federal storm damage assessments

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that he is asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to begin conducting damage assessments in Ohio as soon as possible due to the repetitive and ongoing storm impacts.

According to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA), FEMA and SBA typically conduct damage assessments after Ohio EMA has completed its own state assessments. Because ongoing storms have continuously caused increasing damage across Ohio, Governor DeWine is requesting that joint preliminary assessment teams from FEMA and SBA begin assessments now. 

"Ohio has been incessantly hit by storms since August 10, and without a break in the rain, the damage keeps building," said Governor DeWine. "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 also requires that joint assessments be completed before a state can request further support through a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration. 

Should the assessments find that damages meet certain federal thresholds, the following counties would qualify for support:

FEMA Individual Assistance Program: Adams, Athens, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Darke, Franklin, Hamilton, Highland, Licking, Madison, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Preble, and Washington.

FEMA Public Assistance Program: Adams, Brown, Clermont, Fairfield, Franklin, Highland, Jackson, Madison, Meigs, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Preble, and Washington. 

SBA low-interest loan programs: All counties listed above.