by Tyler Arnold
Four Ohio counties and the state of Ohio will have access to federal aid to assist with costs associated with the destruction caused by 21 tornadoes touching down in Ohio in late May.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be granting Columbiana County, Greene County, Mercer County, Montgomery County and the state of Ohio access to the Public Assistance program.
“Responding to the Memorial Day storms cost local governments millions of dollars, straining local budgets,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a news release. “Today, FEMA has agreed to pick up some of those expenses, bringing some much-needed budgetary relief. We are grateful for their assistance.”
According to a preliminary damage assessment, Ohio and the counties are eligible for a little more than $18 million. About $12 million is to pay for debris removal.
The tornadoes tore through several counties in Western and central Ohio in late May and three of the counties – Greene, Mercer and Montgomery – received state of emergency declarations. Eleven counties received a disaster declaration from President Donald Trump. About 130 people were injured and one man died. Nearly a thousand homes and buildings were either significantly damaged or entirely destroyed.
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Tyler Arnold is a senior contributor to The Center Square.
