Letter to the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States - Federal Disaster Assistance for Ohio River Flooding

Letter

In the wake of last month's severe weather and flooding along the Ohio River and its tributaries, Governor John R. Kasich today asked the President for a Major Disaster Declaration so local governments saddled with infrastructure damage can begin the rebuilding process.

"The greatest impact from this incident is damage to critical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and public buildings," Kasich said in a letter to the President. "There are reports of hundreds of road washouts. Some of these projects will require extensive engineering and design before construction can even begin, resulting in prolonged road closures, extensive detours and dangerous traveling conditions."

Kasich issued an emergency proclamation Feb. 24 that ultimately included 20 Ohio counties. A joint preliminary damage assessment, conducted by local, state and federal emergency management officials in mid-March, documented damages to county, village and township roads, bridges and public buildings totaling $44 million. An additional $20 million in damages occurred to state highways. Thanks in part to previous mitigation efforts, an estimated $19.9 million in additional damages were prevented.

Counties covered by Kasich's request for federal assistance include: Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Clermont, Columbiana, Gallia, Hamilton, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Noble, Muskingum, Perry, Pike, Scioto, Vinton and Washington counties.

A link to Governor Kasich's letter can be found here.

Chronology

Monday, March 26
Gov. Kasich sends letter to President requesting a Major Disaster Declaration.
Tuesday, March 13
Joint FEMA/Ohio Preliminary damage assessment begins with local officials, runs for four days.
Monday, March 12
FEMA joint damage assistance team arrives in Ohio, meets with state officials.
Tuesday, March 6
Ohio EMA makes request to FEMA for a joint FEMA/Ohio Preliminary Damage Assessment for Public Assistance.
Wednesday, February 28
Ohio EMA facilitated the clean-up kits to Brown County.
Tuesday, February 27
Ohio EMA facilitated delivery of 50 flood cleanup kits from the American Red Cross to Brown County.
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) sends a construction liaison to Scioto County.
Ohio National Guard provided overhead imagery along the Ohio River in Brown, Clermont and highland counties with air lift provided by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Ohio Department of Health (ODH) helped acquire 100 doses of tetanus vaccine to Brown County.
Ohio Emergency Operations Center moves from partial activation to assessment and monitoring; Joint Information Center closes.
Monday, February 26
ODOT geologists are on the scene in Lawrence County to clear a large rock slide on State Route 7. ODOT is working to procure contracts to remove the boulders.
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services authorized $150,000 in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Disaster Assistance funds and $25,000 in Adult Non-TANF Disaster Assistance funds for the elderly and disabled.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) delivered a truck-mounted water pump to Lawrence County.
Sunday, February 25
Ohio EMA provides damage assistance guidance to county EMA.
ODOT provides visual message boards and traffic control; OSHP assisting ODOT with traffic control.
Ohio EMA transitions from assessment and monitoring to partial activation.
State of Ohio Emergency Operations Center and Joint Information Center open.
ODNR sends liaisons to Scioto County Emergency Operations Center.
Ohio EMA sends staff to five county EOCs as liaison officers.
Saturday, February 24
Governor Kasich issues proclamation declaring state of emergency.
ODNR delivers water pump to Proctorville in Lawrence County.
Ohio EMA provides 3,000 sandbags to Athens County.
ODNR pre-positions swift water rescue team.
Department of Aging and four Area Agency on Aging provide meals to elderly.
Friday, February 23
Ohio EMA provides 2,000 sandbags to Athens County.
State agencies prepare all equipment to ensure they are ready when needed.
Thursday, February 22
Flood defense water pumps provided to New Boston in Scioto County after their flood defense pumps failed.
Ohio National Guard provides assistance to Scioto County with flood wall installation.
Ohio EMA provides flood safety messaging to county EMA directors for dissemination.
Wednesday, February 21
ODNR reaches out to affected counties.
Several county Emergency Operations Centers open.
Tuesday, February 20
Ohio EMA regional staff meet with county EMA directors regarding preparations for potential flooding
Monday, February 19
Ohio National Guard successfully deploys City of Portsmouth install flood gates.
Sunday, February 18
Gov. Kasich directs execution of the State Emergency Plan: Ohio EMA Watch Office transitions from daily operations to assessment and monitoring of minor state and local partners and holding coordination calls with National Weather Service.

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