White House approved FEMA assistance to 11 Ohio counties after March tornadoes

INDIAN LAKE, OHIO - MARCH 15: Heavily damaged homes are visible in the aftermath after tornadoes swept through the region on March 15, 2024 in Indian Lake, Ohio. The storms lead to casualties, deaths and many losing their homes. (Photo by Andrew Spear/Getty Images)

President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for 11 Ohio counties after deadly tornadoes ripped through the state in March, the White House announced Thursday.

A Presidential Disaster Declaration has been issued for the FEMA Individual Assistance Program for Auglaize, Crawford, Darke, Delaware, Hancock, Licking, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Richland, and Union counties.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine requested a federal disaster declaration from the White House on March 29 — fifteen days after an EF-3 tornado tore left three people dead and many homes destroyed. About 250 families were displaced by the tornadoes.

“Ohio EMA and my administration have worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of the victims of the recent tornadoes in and around Indian Lake,” DeWine said in a news release. “ I thank FEMA and the President for hearing our calls to provide needed federal relief to affected Ohioans as soon as possible.”

FEMA assistance can go towards grants for temporary housing and home repairs, rental assistance and replacing personal property. The disaster declaration allows the Small Business Administration to provide low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses for homeowners, renters and business owners impacted by the tornadoes.

“This federal assistance will supplement the local and state recovery efforts, which are ongoing,” Ohio Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Sima Merick said in a news release. “It will provide assistance directly to homeowners, renters, and businesses affected by these storms.”

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