Kasich seeks federal aid

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WDTN) - Ohio Gov. John Kasich is asking the federal government for a damage assessment to determine if the state is eligible for federal aid following the June 29 storms that left much of the state in the dark.

Kasich asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the assessment, a critical part of the aid process, in a letter Tuesday.

The storms left at least three people dead and caused widespread damage. The high winds caused significant damage to the state’s electrical grid, stressing rural cooperatives.
Money would go to communities, state agencies, cooperatives and certain nonprofits for their work providing relief, as well as to facility repairs.

The assessments are slated to begin in 38 of the state’s 88 counties sometime next week.
Financial aid is being made available to low-income families, the elderly and disabled in 45 counties hit by the storms.

The assistance will be offered to those who earn 200 percent of the federal poverty level or less. That's an income of about $46,000 for a family of four.