Tornado Recovery: FEMA approves public assistance for local governments, private organizations

Mounds of tornado strewn debris are piled behind houses and apartments on Troy Street and Kelly Avenue. Repairs are underway or waiting for insurance settlements in communities throughout the Dayton area one month after the Memorial Day tornadoes tore through many neighborhoods. TY GREENLEES / STAFF

Mounds of tornado strewn debris are piled behind houses and apartments on Troy Street and Kelly Avenue. Repairs are underway or waiting for insurance settlements in communities throughout the Dayton area one month after the Memorial Day tornadoes tore through many neighborhoods. TY GREENLEES / STAFF
Local News
By Laura A. Bischoff
July 17, 2019
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Four counties, state government and some private organizations are eligible for federal money to defray the costs of tornado response and recovery, Gov. Mike DeWine announced late Wednesday.

“Responding to the Memorial Day storms cost local governments millions of dollars, straining local budgets,” DeWine said in a written statement. “Today, FEMA has agreed to pick up some of those expenses, bringing some much needed budgetary relief. We are grateful for their assistance.”

ExploreTORNADO COVERAGE: Latest tornado news, how to get help, videos and more

The four counties are Montgomery, Greene, Mercer, and Columbiana. Federal money can be used to pay for recovery efforts such as debris removal, emergency services and damaged infrastructure.

At the end of June, Ohio Emergency Management Agency officials gave the Federal Emergency Management Agency a preliminary damage estimate of $18.1 million in eligible costs. About $12 million of that was debris removal.

DeWine declared a state of emergency for Greene, Mercer and Montgomery counties on May 28 after 21 tornadoes hit Ohio. He requested a presidential disaster declaration June 11, which President Trump approved June 18.

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Laura Bischoff is our Columbus bureau reporter and covers politics and state government. She keeps a close eye on elected leaders, public employees and taxpayer money. Bischoff tries to write stories that inform voters, hold leaders accountable and strengthen democracy.