Sens. Brown, Portman Are Leading Ohio Delegation In Letter Urging Approval Of Federal Assistance To Southwest Ohio

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) are leading members of the Ohio Congressional Delegation today in a letter to President Obama in support of Governor John Kasich’s requests for federal assistance to Southwest Ohio following severe weather last week. Governor Kasich has requested a disaster declaration for Clermont County and federal resources for Scioto, Adams, and Pike counties following tornadoes, severe storms, and high winds on March 2.

“The damage from these tornadoes and storms is so severe that state and local governments do not have the resources and capabilities necessary for an effective response,” the delegation wrote.  “Federal assistance is critical to assisting the affected residents and communities.”

Full Text of the letter is below.

March 9, 2012

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Obama:

We are writing in support of Governor John Kasich’s request for a federal disaster declaration for Clermont County, Ohio.  On March 2, 2012, much of the Southwest corner of our state was devastated as a result of tornadoes, severe storms, and high winds.  The damage from these tornadoes and storms is so severe that state and local governments do not have the resources and capabilities necessary for an effective response.  Federal assistance is critical to assisting the affected residents and communities.

In addition to the disaster declaration for Clermont County, the Governor also requested federal assistance for residents of Scioto, Adams, and Pike counties.  As a result of the storms, many residents are without homes and these communities have suffered fatalities and damaged businesses and government facilities and. In particular, the Village of Moscow sustained significant damage from the EF3 tornado.  Over 80 percent of homes were impacted, a third of them destroyed or uninhabitable. 

A federal disaster declaration is necessary to ensure the health and safety of Ohioans in these counties.  We fully support Governor Kasich’s request for a federal disaster declaration, and urge your prompt consideration of his request.  Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

###