08/13/2024

DeWine Declares State of Emergency for Eight Northeast Ohio Counties

They were impacted by tornadoes and severe storms last week

On August, 10, 2024, Governor Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency for the following counties: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Portage, Summit and Trumbull following the tornadoes and strong storms that came through Northeast Ohio communities last week.

"This declaration of a state of emergency will give the state the ability to give these communities expedited assistance. At the moment, we have no outstanding requests for services the State can provide to our local communities to help in the aftermath of these storms," said DeWine. "However, we are in this for the duration and will continue to help local communities in Northeast Ohio as they recover from the damage left by the storm, should we receive any new request for services the State is able to provide."

In addition to the state declaration of emergency, DeWine is directing Ohio Emergency Management Director Sima Merick to ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to come to Northeast Ohio and conduct a damage assessment.

To date, the request for state assistance has been for assistance with mobile oxygen generators which have been sent by the Ohio Department of Health to Cuyahoga County. Other state agencies, including the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, have been closely monitoring developments through their roles overseeing SNAP benefits and electric utilities, respectively.

The Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA) is closely working with the affected county emergency management agencies (county EMAs) to monitor developments and offer assistance. County EMAs are in the process of working with local communities to conduct public damage assessments for potential reimbursement. County EMAs will then submit their requests for assistance to Ohio EMA to determine if state and federal damage thresholds are met for reimbursement.

"I encourage local governments who need assistance to contact their County Emergency Management Agency Offices," added DeWine.

The Ohio EMA has an Assistance Toolbox (Tab B) for local governments to help with ongoing damage assessment efforts.

For damage assessments related to homeowners, businesses, renters and non-critical private nonprofit organizations, please contact your county emergency management agency offices.

"Crews from Ohio and beyond are working around the clock to restore power to customers," said DeWine. "For the safety of everyone, please give the crews plenty of space do their work when they are in your neighborhood."