Governor DeWine Requests Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for August Storms

COLUMBUS, OH – Governor Mike DeWine is requesting a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Ohio after severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes battered the state last month.

According to a press release from the Governor’s Office, the request covers 23 counties including: Muskingum, Perry, Morgan, Licking and Fairfield.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, also known as FEMA, and the Small Business Administration, or the SBA, conducted preliminary damage assessments in the 23 counties last week, finding that at least 50 homes and businesses were destroyed, 806 had major damage, and 475 had minor damage.

Beginning on August 10 and continuing through August 23, multiple rounds of heavy rainfall and severe storms caused flash flooding and 17 confirmed tornadoes. At least four people were injured in the storms, two people died, and authorities made approximately 59 water rescues.