Federal aid available for areas hit by June 29 storms

Federal aid has been ordered to supplement recovery efforts in several Ohio counties hit by the severe storms and straight-line winds that raked the area June 29 to July 2.

President Barack Obama announced the major disaster declaration on Monday afternoon.

In the Miami Valley area, the counties of Auglaize, Champaign, Clark and Miami are among those in line for funds to eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis, for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged.

The full list of affected counties are Adams, Allen, Athens, Auglaize, Belmont, Champaign, Clark, Coshocton, Fairfield, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Logan, Meigs, Miami, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Paulding, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Putnam, Shelby, Van Wert, and Washington.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

W. Craig Fugate, administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, named W. Michael Moore as the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.