FEMA Agrees To Help Ohio Counties Affected By Tornadoes

FEMA has agreed to open its public assistance program to the state of Ohio and four individual Ohio counties, all affected by the 21 tornadoes that touched down in late May.

“Responding to the Memorial Day storms cost local governments millions of dollars, straining local budgets,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Today, FEMA has agreed to pick up some of those expenses, bringing some much needed budgetary relief. We are grateful for their assistance.”

The four counties receiving FEMA's assistance are Columbiana, Greene, Mercer and Montgomery. Local governments will now be eligible for federal funds to cover storm-related response and recover efforts, like debris removal and repair of damaged infrastructure.

On May 28, 21 tornadoes tore through Ohio, destroying buildings, knocking out power, and devastating part of the Buckeye State. Governor DeWine immediately declared a state of emergency.

President Donald Trump issued a Presidential Disaster Declaration for the area on June 18. About a week later, Ohio Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Sima Merick requested FEMA's assistance.

The preliminary damage assessment done by Merick's team, and submitted to FEMA, estimated about $18.1 million in costs that could be covered by the assistance program. Of the $18 million, about $12 was specifically for debris removal.