Disaster declaration to free up aid

COLUMBUS - Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday announced Ohio will receive federal assistance for individuals and businesses in Mercer, Auglaize and eight other counties impacted by the 21 tornadoes that swept through western Ohio last month.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday morning issued a Presidential Disaster Declaration for federal assistance for individuals and businesses in Mercer, Auglaize, Darke, Greene, Hocking, Miami, Montgomery, Muskingum, Perry and Pickaway counties following several tornados the evening of May 27 and into the next morning, according to a news release from the governor.

DeWine sent a letter to Trump last week seeking the federal disaster declaration.

"When I spoke with President Trump after these tornadoes, he vowed to provide any assistance he could, and I am grateful that he followed through today on that promise to help those impacted by these storms," DeWine said in the release. "The Presidential Disaster Declaration will help those working to rebuild their homes and their lives."

Mercer County Emergency Management Agency Director Mike Robbins said individuals and business owners can register for FEMA assistance online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).

"This is really good news for our community and other counties across Ohio," Celina Mayor Jeff Hazel told the newspaper. "Nobody meant for this to happen."

Individuals and businesses may be eligible for possible low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Individual and Households Program, the Disaster Legal Services Program and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Steven W. Johnson has been named as the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area, according to a FEMA news release. Johnson said additional designations may be made later if warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Ohio EMA officials are working with the federal agency to decide where and when to set up a disaster-recovery center that will serve as a "one-stop shop for FEMA assistance" where people can register for assistance and get answers, said OEMA Branch Chief Jay Carey.

Personnel from state and federal EMAs and the SBA have performed a preliminary damage assessment and identified 942 homes and buildings as significantly impacted and 837 homes as slightly damaged by the tornadoes in Ohio.

Forty-three homes and one business were destroyed in Celina, and more homes were severely damaged, Robbins has said.

Ohio's U.S. Senators, Rob Portman, Republican, and Sherrod Brown, Democrat, vowed to continue working together to help Ohioans.

"I want to thank FEMA and the Trump administration for swiftly approving this much-needed major disaster declaration," Portman said in a news release. "After the tornadoes touched down, I toured some of the damage firsthand and met with first responders and families who are impacted by this tragedy. The damage is unbelievable."

"Having seen the damage up close and talked to the families in need, Sen. Portman and I know how important these federal resources are to Ohio," Brown added.

FEMA lists aid programs:

Individuals and businesses can apply for several federal disaster-aid programs that have been made available under President Donald J. Trump's disaster declaration, according to a FEMA news release:

• Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)

• Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. (Source: FEMA funded and administered)

• Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs. (Source: FEMA and OEMA)

• Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. (Source: FEMA funded; state administered)

• Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $2 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration)

• Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, nonprofit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration)

• Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture)

• Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income-tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans' benefits and social security matters.