Hamilton County residents who suffered damage from August's storms and flooding must apply for federal disaster aid by Dec. 1.
The deadline covers FEMA Individual Assistance and Small Business Administration Home Disaster Loans, according to a disaster-aid notice from the city of Harrison. The aid covers losses that insurance did not, including temporary housing grants, home repairs, personal-property replacement and crisis counseling.
A Disaster Recovery Center opened Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Hamilton County Central Campus, 1701 Patricia McCollum Way, Cincinnati. The center serves residents of Hamilton and Clermont counties. No appointment is needed.
Nick Crossley, Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security director, told county commissioners on Tuesday, Oct. 6, that the center would stay open two to four weeks. The Ohio Department of Public Safety listed Nov. 1 as the scheduled closing date, though hours and dates may change based on attendance, This Week News reported. Residents can check hcema.org/SevereWxAug26 for current hours.
"If a tree fell on your house and you had to pay to have that tree removed, you can claim your deductible," Crossley told WVXU. "It's really for uninsured losses."
Crossley said he could not find a time in the past 30 years when Hamilton County had a disaster that qualified for a presidential declaration for individual assistance.
President Donald Trump approved the Major Disaster Declaration on Oct. 2, covering severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and landslides from Aug. 10 through Aug. 22. Hamilton County is one of seven Ohio counties designated for individual assistance under declaration DR-4945-OH. The National Weather Service confirmed 17 tornadoes statewide during that stretch, and Local 12 reported that western Hamilton County experienced its worst flooding since 1959.
Sharonville, Springdale, Evendale and Woodlawn are among the communities where residents may be eligible.
Representatives from FEMA, the Small Business Administration, the Ohio Department of Insurance, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency will be on-site at the center.
Center hours:
- Opening day (Wednesday, Oct. 7): noon to 8 p.m.
- Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How to apply remotely:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- Call 1-800-621-3362 (7 a.m.–10 p.m. local time, seven days a week)
- Through the FEMA app
What to bring to the center: insurance policy number and company name, a current phone number and email, the address at the time of the disaster, Social Security number, a list of damage and losses, banking information for direct deposit, and receipts for disaster-related expenses such as home repairs or hotel stays.
Small businesses and nonprofits can apply separately for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans through July 2, 2027.
Coming up: Hamilton County emergency planners meet Oct. 14 in Springdale. The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at 1701 Patricia McCollum Way is scheduled through Nov. 1.
