COLUMBUS — Gov. Ted Strickland is seeking at least $7 million in federal aid to help Ohio cope with the hurricane-level winds that swept across the state, resulting in seven deaths and massive power outages and leaving behind mountains of debris.

In a letter to President Bush on Wednesday, Sept. 17, Strickland asked the president to declare a federal emergency for the whole state.

In a bipartisan effort, Ohio's two U.S. senators, Republican George Voinovich and Democrat Sherrod Brown, wrote to Bush separately backing up Democrat Strickland's request. Sixteen of 17 Ohio's U.S. House members had signed the letter by Wednesday evening.

"We fully support Gov. Strickland's request for a federal disaster/emergency declaration and urge your prompt consideration of his request...," Voinovich and Brown wrote.

In his letter, Strickland, who already has declared a state emergency, said "I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and affected local governments and that supplementary federal assistance is necessary to save lives, protect property, public health and safety or to lessen or avert the threat of a disaster."

The initial request for $7 million is for reimbursement for fuel for generators and vehicles, food for the needy and other costs. Strickland said a subsequent request for help with debris removal may be submitted after damage assessments.

Strickland told Bush that the state and Ohio local governments will pay the applicable non-federal share of costs required by the federal government. That amounts to a 25 percent match, said Keith Dailey, Strickland's spokesman.

Garrette Silverman, Voinovich's spokeswoman, said officials hope the request will be resolved within days but concede that because a multi-state disaster exists it could take weeks.

"We hope for a quick response. Obviously Gulf Coast states have been hit hard by Hurricane Ike and other states are struggling in the aftermath," said Dailey.