A federal Disaster Recovery Center opens Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Bond Hill to help flood-damaged Hamilton and Clermont county residents apply for aid.
The walk-in center at 1701 Patricia McCollum Way in Cincinnati will serve residents across the county, including Anderson Township, Mariemont and Terrace Park, who suffered losses during August's severe storms. Representatives from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Ohio Department of Insurance, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency will be on site, according to Hamilton County's emergency management page.
No appointment is needed.
Nick Crossley, director of Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security, told county commissioners Tuesday, Oct. 6, that the center will stay open for two to four weeks, as WVXU first reported.
"I couldn't find a time in the last 30 years when Hamilton County has had a disaster that's risen to the level that's gotten a presidential [declaration] for individual assistance," Crossley said. He called it "pretty rare to reach this level of damage."
The aid covers uninsured losses including tree removal costs up to the insurance deductible, relocation expenses, temporary housing, home repairs, rental costs and personal-property losses. Crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance and legal services are also available.
Hours and deadlines
On opening day, Wednesday, Oct. 7, the center will operate from noon to 8 p.m. Regular hours after that are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance is Tuesday, Dec. 1. SBA physical damage loan applications are also due Dec. 1. SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications have a later deadline of Friday, July 2, 2027.
Residents who cannot visit in person can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or through the FEMA app.
What to bring
Visitors should bring their insurance policy number and company name, a current phone number and email address, their address at the time of the disaster and current address, Social Security number, a general list of damage and losses, banking information for direct deposit, and receipts for disaster-related purchases.
Background
President Donald Trump issued a Major Disaster Declaration for Ohio on Friday, Oct. 2, covering seven counties: Hamilton, Clermont, Franklin, Licking, Morgan, Muskingum and Perry. The declaration activated FEMA's Individual Assistance Grant program and SBA disaster loans.
Severe weather struck the region from Aug. 10 through Aug. 22, including a derecho on Aug. 11 with an EF-1 tornado and dangerous flooding in western Hamilton County on Aug. 13 and Aug. 14 that prompted evacuations along Lawrenceburg Road. State officials said western Hamilton County experienced its worst flooding since 1959, according to Local 12. Statewide, preliminary assessments found at least 50 homes and businesses destroyed, 806 with major damage and 475 with minor damage. The storms were blamed for two deaths and four injuries, according to the governor's disaster request.
Displaced residents can reach the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. For general assistance, call United Way at 2-1-1.
Upcoming dates
- Wednesday, Oct. 7: Disaster Recovery Center opens at noon, 1701 Patricia McCollum Way, Cincinnati
- Tuesday, Dec. 1: Deadline for FEMA Individual Assistance and SBA physical damage loan applications
- Friday, July 2, 2027: Deadline for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications
