COLUMBUS, Ohio (AVC News) — The Ohio Controlling Board has approved $500,000 in emergency disaster assistance for four Ohio counties affected by flooding following severe storms beginning Aug. 10.
The funding will assist residents in Franklin, Morgan, Muskingum and Perry counties, with the money being administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Under the emergency assistance plan, local job and family services offices in the four counties will reimburse eligible individuals and families for between $750 and $1,500 in emergency expenses.
Eligibility is limited to people in affected areas who have suffered large-scale losses, are senior citizens or have children in their families and earn less than 300% of the federal poverty level.
The state assistance is intended to remain available until a federal emergency disaster declaration is signed, at which point federal assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency would take over.
The Ohio National Guard was activated in August to assist with rescue, evacuation, debris removal, sandbagging and distribution of food and water in Perry, Muskingum and Morgan counties following the flooding.
State Sen. Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster, said the funding will help affected families begin recovering from the storms. Schaffer represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Perry County.
The Controlling Board is a state legislative panel that approves certain state spending and administrative actions.
Last Updated on September 15, 2026 by AVC News
