COLUMBUS, Ohio (AVC News) — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is asking President Donald Trump to issue a major disaster declaration following severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds and tornadoes that affected parts of Ohio in August.
The request covers 23 counties, including Morgan, Muskingum, Perry and Washington counties in Southeast Ohio, as well as Adams, Athens, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Darke, Fairfield, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Licking, Logan, Madison, Preble, Richland and Shelby counties.
Preliminary damage assessments conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration found at least 50 homes and businesses were destroyed, 806 sustained major damage and 475 had minor damage.
The storms occurred in multiple rounds between Aug. 10 and Aug. 23, producing heavy rainfall, flash flooding and 17 confirmed tornadoes. At least four people were injured, two people died and authorities conducted approximately 59 water rescues.
DeWine’s request asks FEMA to activate its Individual Assistance program, which could provide eligible residents with temporary housing and home-repair assistance, rental assistance, replacement of personal property, crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.
The request also seeks Small Business Administration low-interest loans for certain uninsured property losses and activation of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to help communities reduce future disaster losses.
Several state agencies assisted with the response, including the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Ohio National Guard.
ODOT assisted with debris removal in Perry and Muskingum counties, provided aerial imagery of flooding on Interstate 70 and helped deliver bottled water. The Ohio National Guard also assisted with debris removal in Muskingum County and transported water and supplies to distribution sites.
The Ohio Emergency Management Agency operated the State Emergency Operations Center and assisted affected counties with communications, logistics, damage assessments and recovery programs.
“This federal assistance will support local and state efforts and help advance long-term recovery,” Ohio EMA Executive Director Sima Merick said. “It will aid homeowners, renters, and businesses affected by these storms.”
The disaster declaration request now goes to the federal government for consideration.
Last Updated on September 3, 2026 by AVC News
