MERCER COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - Governor Mike DeWine activated the state disaster relief program for Mercer and 10 other counties to help with the impact of severe storm events from the start of the year.
Pictured: Officials working on assessments of tornado damage in Mercer and Auglaize counties, Date: May 8, 2024.
Government and eligible private non-profit organizations in Mercer County will be able to apply for supplemental state assistance for the EF-2 tornadoes on May 7-8th. One tornado by Coldwater reached speeds of 120 miles per hour. The other that started in Montezuma Township hit speeds of 130 miles per hour. No injuries or deaths were reported.
Government and eligible private non-profit organizations in Mercer County will be able to apply for supplemental state assistance for the EF-2 tornadoes on May 7-8th.
The assistance can help with the cost of debris removal and permanent work. The other counties that can apply for assistance are in various parts of the state and are for flooding, severe storms, and tornado events between January and August.
September 27, 2024, Press Release from the Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine: (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that he has authorized the use of the State Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) to support 11 counties that were significantly impacted by severe weather events this year.
The SDRP is a reimbursement program that can be used in instances where storm damage amounts do not meet the threshold for federal assistance, but do meet state program requirements. This program is intended to provide supplemental state assistance to local governments and eligible private non-profit organizations for costs associated with debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent work.
- Monroe County: Flooding and severe storms, Jan. 24-25.
- Belmont, Guernsey, Jefferson, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, and Washington counties: Flooding and severe storms, April 1-4.
- Darke and Mercer counties: Tornadoes, May 7-8.
- Cuyahoga County: Tornadoes and severe storms, Aug. 6.
The SDRP is authorized for counties whose damages meet a countywide per capita indicator. Governor DeWine's authorization allows the Ohio Emergency Management Agency to request the funding from the Ohio Controlling Board.
More information on the State Disaster Relief Program is available at ema.ohio.gov.
