Centers offer Ohioans severe-weather aid

COLUMBUS (AP) -- Ohioans hit hard by January's severe weather can seek assistance starting today at three relief centers run by federal and state officials.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is operating disaster recovery centers in Grove City in central Ohio, Dillonvale in eastern Ohio and Marietta in southeastern Ohio.
Available aid includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses. The centers will also offer advice for reducing future disaster risks and referrals to federal and state assistance programs.
The U.S. Small Business Administration will be available at the centers to assist victims with low-interest business loan applications.
Residents of Franklin, Jefferson, Licking, Morgan, Ross, Tuscarawas and Washington counties who have damaged homes or businesses can call (800) 621-3362 to apply for assistance before visiting a recovery center.
President Bush declared a disaster on January 27 in those counties, making federal assistance available to families and individuals coping with storm, flood, mudslide and landslide damage. Local governments in several other counties also are receiving assistance to repair disaster-damaged public facilities.