COLUMBUS, Ohio — Following the multiple tornadoes that touched down in Cuyahoga County on Aug. 6, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has activated the State Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) to help provide support.
According to the state, the SDRP is "a reimbursement program that can be used in instances where storm damage amounts do not meet the threshold for federal assistance, but do meet state program requirements."
"This program is intended to provide supplemental state assistance to local governments and eligible private non-profit organizations for costs associated with debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent work," DeWine's office stated in a release.
A total of five tornadoes were confirmed in Northeast Ohio on Aug. 6, including Cuyahoga County touch downs in Brook Park, Brecksville, and Bay Village. An additional tornado first impacted in Avon Lake and moved east to Rocky River, plus one that touched down in Waite Hill and traveled to Chesterland.
Hundreds of thousands of Cuyahoga County residents were without power for several days after the storm.
Ten other counties were granted use of the SDRP due to various other storm and flooding incidents that took place earlier this year.
The state says the SDRP "is authorized for counties whose damages meet a countywide per capita indicator. Governor DeWine's authorization allows the Ohio Emergency Management Agency to request the funding from the Ohio Controlling Board."
