North Columbus News

U.S. Senators JD Vance (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) have urged President Biden to issue a disaster declaration for eight southeastern Ohio counties affected by severe weather in April. The request comes after Governor Mike DeWine sought a Presidential Disaster Declaration to enable FEMA to provide additional resources for recovery efforts.

The counties in question—Belmont, Monroe, Jefferson, Guernsey, Noble, Washington, Morgan, and Meigs—experienced significant damage due to tornados, severe storms, and flooding. According to the senators' letter, these events led to widespread destruction of homes, apartments, and businesses.

"Tornados, severe storms, and flooding in Eastern Ohio over the month of April led to significant damage, causing widespread destruction of homes, apartments, and businesses," wrote the senators. "The State and local governments in the affected areas do not have the capability to sufficiently respond to this major disaster; therefore federal assistance is necessary to supplement recovery efforts."

They further emphasized the need for collaboration between FEMA and state officials: "Should FEMA have any concern that the damage from these storms does not meet the threshold for public disaster assistance, we urge you to work with Governor DeWine and local officials so that they may provide the evidence necessary to ensure FEMA has a full picture of the recovery assistance that Ohioans need."

The complete letter from Senators Vance and Brown is available online.

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