Portman, Brown urge Presidential Disaster Declaration for storm-damaged Southern Ohio

Portman, Brown urge Presidential Disaster Declaration for storm-damaged Southern Ohio

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) sent a letter to President Trump urging him to act swiftly on Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for 20 counties in Ohio. Last month, severe storms and extreme rainfall led to significant flooding and damage in southern Ohio. Meigs County is included in the 20 requested to be declared a national disaster.

“We write to urge you to act swiftly on the request by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for 20 counties in Ohio. Severe storms and extreme rainfall last month in southern Ohio led to significant flooding, causing substantial damage to critical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings,” wrote the Senators. “We fully support Governor DeWine’s request, and urge your prompt consideration.”

The full text of the letter to President Trump is below:

Dear Mr. President:

We write to urge you to act swiftly on the request by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for 20 counties in Ohio.

Severe storms and extreme rainfall last month in southern Ohio led to significant flooding, causing substantial damage to critical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings.  The state and local governments in the affected areas do not have the capability to sufficiently respond to this major disaster, and therefore, federal assistance is necessary to supplement recovery efforts.

We fully support Governor DeWine’s request, and urge your prompt consideration. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Thank you,

Rob Portman                                                    Sherrod Brown

U.S. Senator                                                    U.S. Senator