Husted, Moreno, Balderson request expedited federal storm damage assessments for Ohio

COLUMBUS – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio), along with Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Rep. Troy Balderson (R-Ohio), this week sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Cameron Hamilton and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler requesting they begin conducting damage assessments in Ohio as soon as possible due to the repetitive and ongoing storm impacts.

Husted led the letter in support of Governor Mike DeWine’s (R-Ohio) request for FEMA and SBA to begin joint preliminary damage assessments while Ohio continues to experience storms and increasing damage.

According to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA), FEMA and SBA typically conduct damage assessments after Ohio EMA has completed its own state assessments. Because ongoing storms have continuously caused increasing damage across Ohio, Governor DeWine is requesting that joint preliminary assessment teams from FEMA and SBA begin assessments now.

“We write to urge that you grant the State of Ohio’s request for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to expedite their federal storm damage assessments and potential relief by initiating their damage assessments in Ohio as soon as possible,” wrote the lawmakers.

“Under typical post-disaster procedures, FEMA and SBA conduct their damage assessments only after the state has completed theirs. Existing federal law similarly mandates that both federal and state assessments be completed before a state can request a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, which makes additional damage assistance available to states,” they continued.

“Beginning on August 10, 2026, and continuing for several days thereafter, Ohio was hit with a series of severe storms, resulting in widespread damage across the state. FEMA, SBA, and the state should coordinate their efforts in the damage assessment process to speed up access to potential federal relief. Even today, widespread flooding continues in both rural and urban parts of the state. We again urge your approval of expedited FEMA and SBA storm damage assessments,” they concluded.

Should the assessments find that damages meet certain federal thresholds, the following counties would qualify for support:

FEMA Individual Assistance Program: Adams, Athens, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Darke, Franklin, Hamilton, Highland, Licking, Madison, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Preble, and Washington.

FEMA Public Assistance Program: Adams, Brown, Clermont, Fairfield, Franklin, Highland, Jackson, Madison, Meigs, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Preble, and Washington.

SBA low-interest loan programs: All counties listed above.