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Gov. Requests Federal Aid For Storm Damaged Counties
By: Associated Press
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Ohio Gov. John Kasich has asked the federal government for a review of damage from June 29 storms to see if the state qualifies for federal relief.
The Republican governor said Tuesday he has sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency seeking a damage assessment.
The storms caused widespread power outages, strewed significant debris, and damaged public facilities and some rural electric cooperatives.
In part of Southeast Ohio, power customers were without electricity for as many as 10 days.
Three people in Licking County died in the days following the storm. The three elderly residents all died inside their homes, each of which had lost power in thunderstorms earlier in the month.
Kasich's office said such an assessment must occur before federal aid can be requested. Money would go to communities, state agencies, cooperatives and certain nonprofits for their work providing relief, as well as to facility repairs.
Damage assessments were requested to begin the next week in 38 of Ohio's 88 counties, the majority of which are in Southeast Ohio.
Southeastern counties in consideration include: Athens, Belmont, Coshocton, Fairfield, Gallia, Guernsey, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Licking, Meigs, Morgan, Monroe, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Scioto and Washington counties.