Federal aid available to some Ohio flood victims

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Residents of heavily flooded north-central Ohio can begin applying Tuesday for federal grants that will cover the cost of temporary housing and home repairs.

President Bush has declared the region a major disaster, a move that also allows the federal government to offer low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.

The declaration came Monday, a day after Gov. Ted Strickland toured the region with Federal Emergency Management Agency officials, where residents continue to clean out their homes and businesses damaged by last week’s record flooding.

Bush’s action makes funding available for homeowners, renters and business owners in Allen, Crawford, Hancock, Putnam, Richland and Wyandot counties.

“I appreciate President Bush’s swift response to our request for individual assistance,” Strickland said. “We will continue to work closely with the administration to ensure we meet the needs of suffering Ohio families, businesses and public sector institutions.”

The recovery process for some towns, such as Findlay and Bucyrus, which were hit by the worst flooding in nearly a century, will be lengthy and extensive, said Tom Hunter, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Public Safety.