WASHINGTON, D.C. — New federal resources will help support nearly 700 Ohio workers to continue clean-up efforts following severe weather throughout southeast Ohio. The U.S. Department of Labor’s National Emergency Grant (NEG) award will help Athens, Belmont, Gallia, Guernsey, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Ross, Scioto, Vinton, and Washington Counties recover from storms and flooding in spring 2011.

“Last spring’s severe storms left many Ohio families and small businesses hurting,” Brown said. “This funding will help small businesses, families, and communities throughout southeast Ohio while putting Ohioans to work.”

In July 2011, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the counties were eligible for additional federal resources because of flash flooding and severe storms in April and May 2011. Brown led the Ohio Congressional Delegation in a letter to President Obama in support of Governor Kasich’s request for a disaster declaration for southern Ohio counties.

The full text of the letter is below.

June 23, 2011

The President
The White House
Washington, D. C.

Dear Mr. President:

We are writing in support of Governor John Kasich’s request for a federal disaster declaration for 21 counties in Ohio as a result of severe storms beginning April 1, 2011 through May 15, 2011.  These storms were widespread and costly due to the location of the storms as well as the record setting rainfall.  

The counties experienced flooding, flash flooding and severe storms beginning on April 1, 2011, through May 15, 2011.  The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance for the counties of Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Clermont, Gallia, Guernsey, Hamilton, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Vinton, and Washington, and hazard mitigation for all counties within the State.  The communities most affected are in the Appalachian regions of the state, which were already considered economically distressed and lack the infrastructure to respond to such emergencies.

We believe federal assistance 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.

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