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Ohio Governor Seeks Federal Aid for Eight Counties
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Gov. Bob Taft today asked President George W. Bush for federal assistance for eight Ohio counties that were inundated by severe storms and flooding beginning May 18. One of the counties is Columbiana."These two weeks of severe weather have caused harsh damage to affected communities," Taft said. "Further response and recovery is beyond the capabilities of state and affected local governments, and supplementary federal disaster assistance is necessary for people to return their normal lives."Federal assistance for individuals and families is being requested for residents of Athens, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina, Noble, Perry and Summit counties. If granted, residents in these counties could be eligible for disaster housing assistance; disaster unemployment assistance; Small Business Administration home, personal property, business and economic injury loans; and appropriate agriculture programs.Last week, preliminary damage assessment teams made up of specialists from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency and SBA assessed weather-related damage in the eight counties.In his letter, Taft asked the President Bush to declare a major disaster for the state as a result of tornadoes, flooding, severe storms and high winds. The request is based on the economic impact to the communities in each county who have had one or more federal disaster declaration within the last year. A presidential declaration of a major disaster for the state of Ohio would lead to the availability of federal assistance for individuals and businesses.Local governments in Athens, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Hocking, Knox, Perry, Portage, Lorain, Medina, Summit counties as well as Wells Township in Jefferson County and Union Township in Morgan County are eligible for the State Disaster Relief Program. This program provides grants for uninsured losses and damages incurred by cities, municipalities, townships, and counties. Reimbursement for work such as emergency debris removal, emergency protective measures, and repairs to roads, bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and public utilities are eligible.Ohio EMA will continue coordinating recovery efforts between state and county liaisons in affected counties. Response and recovery efforts were coordinated from the Ohio Emergency Operations Center with the American Red Cross, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Ohio Department of Insurance and Ohio Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters."