Hamilton County gets federal flood-relief funds

Hamilton County is among 18 counties in Ohio eligible for federal funds to help repair damages caused by flooding in February.

The money is available because President Donald Trump granted Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s request for a federal disaster declaration, according to a news release from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.

The funds will be provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s public-assistance program, which repays local governments for eligible storm-related response and recovery efforts including debris removal, emergency protective measures and the repair, replacement or restoration of damaged infrastructure.

State agencies and some nonprofit groups operating within the borders of the 18 counties also are eligible for the federal funds.

In addition to Hamilton County, eligible counties in Ohio are Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Columbiana, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pike, Scioto, Vinton and Washington.

Kasich issued an emergency proclamation Feb. 24.

A preliminary damage assessment conducted by local, state and federal emergency-management officials in mid-March documented damages to roads, bridges and public buildings in Ohio totaling $44 million, according to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.

Ohio’s federal disaster declaration also makes flood-relief funds available statewide through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s hazard mitigation grant program.