WASHINGTON — The White House has announced that President Joe Biden has approved a disaster declaration in Ohio following the deadly storms that impacted 11 counties across the state in March.
Biden has ordered federal assistance "to supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas affected by tornadoes on March 14, 2024."
According to the White House, Biden's approval will make federal funding available to affected individuals in the following counties:
- Auglaize
- Crawford
- Darke
- Delaware
- Hancock
- Licking
- Logan
- Mercer
- Miami
- Richland
- Union
“Ohio EMA and my administration have worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of the victims of the recent tornadoes in and around Indian Lake,” said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in a statement. “I thank FEMA and the President for hearing our calls to provide needed federal relief to affected Ohioans as soon as possible.”
Assistance from the federal government can include "grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster."
In addition, federal funding is also available on "a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide."
The White House says residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Toney Raines has been appointed to coordinate federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
On March 29, DeWine wrote to President Biden asking for the federal disaster declaration. The governor noted that three people were killed and 38 injured as a result of the EF-3 tornado in Logan County. DeWine also noted that an EF-1 touched down in four counties, while an EF-2 impacted three additional Ohio counties.
Ohio's U.S. Senators, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) jointly wrote a letter to President Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, urging them to "act swiftly" on DeWine's request for a disaster declaration.
“Today’s announcement is welcome news and will get additional necessary resources to the families and businesses recovering after the deadly tornadoes that swept through Central Ohio a month and a half ago," Brown said in a statement after the White House announcement. "I will continue to push the administration and FEMA to make sure support gets to the families and businesses picking up the pieces after these storms."
Previous Reporting:
- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine visits Indian Lake for update on cleanup process following deadly storms
- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine requests federal disaster assistance for Richland County, 10 others impacted by tornadoes
- NWS says Indian Lake hit with EF3 tornado; 8 tornadoes in Ohio total so far
- Richland County residents assess damage 1 week after EF2 tornado