Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Seven Ohio Counties as Sixteen Remain Under Review
Federal Individual Assistance and SBA disaster loans open after destructive August storms, while state officials await determinations on remaining areas.
President Donald Trump approved a federal Major Disaster Declaration for Ohio on Oct. 2, 2026, authorizing individual disaster relief following severe August storms and flooding across the state.
Under the initial federal determination, disaster assistance was approved for seven Ohio counties. The 16 counties not addressed in Friday's notice of approval are still under review, according to a release from Gov. Mike DeWine's office. The announcement follows confirmation that President Donald Trump granted disaster relief for Ohio after strong storms caused significant damage across the state in August.
Hard-Hit Communities Face Long Rebuilding Process
The federal action targets areas ravaged by severe weather systems between Aug. 10 and Aug. 23, 2026. Many residents in Muskingum, Morgan and Perry County communities, like Crooksville, Roseville, and Corning, were ravaged by extreme thunderstorms, severe flooding and the aftershock of a derecho from the Midwest between Aug. 10-23.
In Perry County, heavy rains brought major flooding to Crooksville during the early morning hours of Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, enough to push waters over the sidewalks on West Main Street. Responders evacuated residents to a high school shelter as Moxahala Creek overflowed, submerging vehicles and downtown storefronts. Neighboring Roseville and South Zanesville in Muskingum County suffered similar road washouts and water damage.
Bipartisan Push Followed August Damage Surveys
The approval follows joint state and federal damage assessments. A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration was requested by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Sept. 2 followed by a request signed by Balderson, Senator Jon Husted, and Senator Bernie Moreno on Sept. 3.
DeWine sought federal aid after field reviews documented extensive damage across central, western, and southeastern Ohio. Preliminary damage assessments conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration found at least 50 homes and businesses destroyed, 806 with major damage and 475 with minor damage. Statewide, the storm rounds caused two deaths, four injuries, 17 tornadoes, and approximately 59 water rescues.
The governor's initial application covered 23 jurisdictions. As documented in state filings, the request covers 23 counties, including Champaign, Clark, Logan, Madison and Shelby counties, along with Adams, Athens, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Darke, Fairfield, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Licking, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Preble, Richland and Washington counties. With seven approved on Oct. 2, state emergency officials are continuing to provide documentation for the remaining 16 counties.
Federal Assistance Differs From State Declarations
The federal declaration marks an important transition from earlier state emergency orders. When severe storms struck, DeWine declared a state of emergency to mobilize state resources. Gubernatorial emergency declarations authorize agencies like the Ohio Department of Transportation to clear debris, inspect compromised bridges, and bypass statutory competitive bidding to accelerate public road repairs. However, state declarations do not provide financial grants to private individuals.
Previously, Pique reported on state recovery efforts in "Ohio Expands Flood Emergency to 21 Counties as ODOT and Local EMAs Mobilize."
By contrast, a presidential declaration opens direct federal household support through FEMA. In his application, DeWine is asking FEMA to activate its Individual Assistance Grant Program, which could provide help with temporary housing and home repairs, rental assistance, replacement of personal property, crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.
In addition, the request also seeks SBA assistance through low-interest loans for certain uninsured property losses, as well as FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to help communities reduce future disaster damage. These Small Business Administration loans assist homeowners, renters, and business owners in repairing or replacing uninsured or underinsured property.
Actionable Next Steps for Survivors and Officials
Impacted residents and local governments should take several immediate steps to access recovery aid:
- Apply for Federal Assistance: Qualified homeowners and renters in declared counties can apply online through FEMA or by phone. Applicants must provide identification, contact information, household income, and insurance policy details.
- Document All Damage: Before removing debris or beginning major repairs, property owners should take timestamped photographs and video recordings of water marks, structural damage, and ruined belongings.
- Retain Invoices and Receipts: Keep clear copies of all expenditures for cleanup, emergency repairs, equipment rentals, and temporary lodging.
- File Insurance Claims: Because federal programs cannot duplicate insurance payouts, policyholders must submit claims promptly and keep settlement or denial letters for FEMA and SBA loan evaluations.
- Municipal Tracking: Township and municipal officials in both approved counties and the 16 counties still under federal review must continue logging employee overtime, machinery hours, and repair expenditures for ongoing federal reviews.
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President Donald Trump approved a federal Major Disaster Declaration for Ohio on Oct. 2, 2026, authorizing individual disaster relief following severe August storms and flooding across the state.
Under the initial federal determination, disaster assistance was approved for seven Ohio counties. The 16 counties not addressed in Friday's notice of approval are still under review, according to a release from Gov. Mike DeWine's office. The announcement follows confirmation that President Donald Trump granted disaster relief for Ohio after strong storms caused significant damage across the state in August.
Hard-Hit Communities Face Long Rebuilding Process
The federal action targets areas ravaged by severe weather systems between Aug. 10 and Aug. 23, 2026. Many residents in Muskingum, Morgan and Perry County communities, like Crooksville, Roseville, and Corning, were ravaged by extreme thunderstorms, severe flooding and the aftershock of a derecho from the Midwest between Aug. 10-23.
In Perry County, heavy rains brought major flooding to Crooksville during the early morning hours of Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, enough to push waters over the sidewalks on West Main Street. Responders evacuated residents to a high school shelter as Moxahala Creek overflowed, submerging vehicles and downtown storefronts. Neighboring Roseville and South Zanesville in Muskingum County suffered similar road washouts and water damage.
Bipartisan Push Followed August Damage Surveys
The approval follows joint state and federal damage assessments. A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration was requested by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Sept. 2 followed by a request signed by Balderson, Senator Jon Husted, and Senator Bernie Moreno on Sept. 3.
DeWine sought federal aid after field reviews documented extensive damage across central, western, and southeastern Ohio. Preliminary damage assessments conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration found at least 50 homes and businesses destroyed, 806 with major damage and 475 with minor damage. Statewide, the storm rounds caused two deaths, four injuries, 17 tornadoes, and approximately 59 water rescues.
The governor's initial application covered 23 jurisdictions. As documented in state filings, the request covers 23 counties, including Champaign, Clark, Logan, Madison and Shelby counties, along with Adams, Athens, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Darke, Fairfield, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Licking, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Preble, Richland and Washington counties. With seven approved on Oct. 2, state emergency officials are continuing to provide documentation for the remaining 16 counties.
Federal Assistance Differs From State Declarations
The federal declaration marks an important transition from earlier state emergency orders. When severe storms struck, DeWine declared a state of emergency to mobilize state resources. Gubernatorial emergency declarations authorize agencies like the Ohio Department of Transportation to clear debris, inspect compromised bridges, and bypass statutory competitive bidding to accelerate public road repairs. However, state declarations do not provide financial grants to private individuals.
Previously, Pique reported on state recovery efforts in "Ohio Expands Flood Emergency to 21 Counties as ODOT and Local EMAs Mobilize."
By contrast, a presidential declaration opens direct federal household support through FEMA. In his application, DeWine is asking FEMA to activate its Individual Assistance Grant Program, which could provide help with temporary housing and home repairs, rental assistance, replacement of personal property, crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.
In addition, the request also seeks SBA assistance through low-interest loans for certain uninsured property losses, as well as FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to help communities reduce future disaster damage. These Small Business Administration loans assist homeowners, renters, and business owners in repairing or replacing uninsured or underinsured property.
Actionable Next Steps for Survivors and Officials
Impacted residents and local governments should take several immediate steps to access recovery aid:
- Apply for Federal Assistance: Qualified homeowners and renters in declared counties can apply online through FEMA or by phone. Applicants must provide identification, contact information, household income, and insurance policy details.
- Document All Damage: Before removing debris or beginning major repairs, property owners should take timestamped photographs and video recordings of water marks, structural damage, and ruined belongings.
- Retain Invoices and Receipts: Keep clear copies of all expenditures for cleanup, emergency repairs, equipment rentals, and temporary lodging.
- File Insurance Claims: Because federal programs cannot duplicate insurance payouts, policyholders must submit claims promptly and keep settlement or denial letters for FEMA and SBA loan evaluations.
- Municipal Tracking: Township and municipal officials in both approved counties and the 16 counties still under federal review must continue logging employee overtime, machinery hours, and repair expenditures for ongoing federal reviews.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Trump approves disaster aid for 7 Ohio counties after severe August storms
Supporting evidence (1)
The 16 counties not addressed in Friday's notice of approval are still under review, according to a release from Gov.
Read supporting passage
The 16 counties not addressed in Friday's notice of approval are still under review, according to a release from Gov. Mike DeWine's office.
President Trump grants disaster relief for Ohio after August storms
Supporting evidence (1)
The announcement follows confirmation that President Donald Trump granted disaster relief for Ohio after strong storms caused significant damage across the state in August.
Read supporting passage
President Donald Trump granted disaster relief for Ohio after strong storms caused significant damage across the state in August.
Supporting evidence (2)
Many residents in Muskingum, Morgan and Perry County communities, like Crooksville, Roseville, and Corning, were ravaged by extreme thunderstorms, severe flooding and the aftershock of a derecho from the Midwest between Aug. 10-23.
In Perry County, heavy rains brought major flooding to Crooksville during the early morning hours of Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, enough to push waters over the sidewalks on West Main Street.
Read supporting passage
Heavy rains brought major flooding to Crooksville during the early morning hours of Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, enough to push waters over the sidewalks on West Main Street.
https://www.whiznews.com/presidential-major-disaster-declared-for-ohios-floods/
Supporting evidence (2)
A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration was requested by Ohio Gov.
Read supporting passage
A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration was requested by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Sept. 2 followed by a request signed by Balderson, Senator Jon Husted, and Senator Bernie Moreno on Sept. 3.
“After weeks of working with the Governor, FEMA, and local officials, I’m grateful President Trump approved Ohio’s major disaster declaration,” said Balderson in a press release.
Supporting evidence (4)
Preliminary damage assessments conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration found at least 50 homes and businesses destroyed, 806 with major damage and 475 with minor damage.
As documented in state filings, the request covers 23 counties, including Champaign, Clark, Logan, Madison and Shelby counties, along with Adams, Athens, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Darke, Fairfield, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Licking, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Preble, Richland and Washington counties.
Read supporting passage
The request covers 23 counties, including Champaign, Clark, Logan, Madison and Shelby counties, along with Adams, Athens, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Darke, Fairfield, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Licking, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Preble, Richland and Washington counties.
In his application, DeWine is asking FEMA to activate its Individual Assistance Grant Program, which could provide help with temporary housing and home repairs, rental assistance, replacement of personal property, crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.
Read supporting passage
DeWine is asking FEMA to activate its Individual Assistance Grant Program, which could provide help with temporary housing and home repairs, rental assistance, replacement of personal property, crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.
In addition, the request also seeks SBA assistance through low-interest loans for certain uninsured property losses, as well as FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to help communities reduce future disaster damage.
Read supporting passage
The request also seeks SBA assistance through low-interest loans for certain uninsured property losses, as well as FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to help communities reduce future disaster damage.