LUCAS COUNTY, OH (Toledo News Now) - Recent flooding has left several resident in Lucas County with water damage both in and around their homes. But there are certain flood damage requirements that must be met before Lucas County can begin the process of issuing a Disaster Declaration.
The county says Disaster Declarations are necessary when incidents overwhelm the response capabilities. The first step is for the Emergency Management Agency to complete a damage assessment before deciding whether to issue a 'State Disaster Declaration.'
Disaster Declarations help provide local, state and federal assistance in the form of grants or loans to individuals, businesses or other jurisdictions.
Ohio Governor John Kasich must issue an Emergency Declaration in order to authorize that assistance. The governor also has the power to request a Presidential Declaration of Emergency for federal funding.
Currently, Lucas County says the damage that they and the city have been assessing has not reached the level that the state requires.
"The state says that there has to be a certain amount of real property damage, houses off the foundations, garages floating away. We haven't reached that level of damage yet for us to make an application of a state of emergency," said Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken. "What we saw was a lot of basements flooded, water heaters, refrigerators, washers and dryers. Unfortunately for the state's responsibility, that doesn't count."
Commissioner Gerken says the county will consider allocating local resources to help those who have had real property damage to their homes and other structures.
Toledo City Council will vote at their next meeting on $50,000 in funding to help residents with sewer-water backup in their basements.
A public forum will be held by Toledo City Councilwoman Lindsay Webb on July 13 to provide more information about applying for the assistance. Details on that forum will be forthcoming.
