Ohio Launches Disaster Relief Aid for Winter Storm Damage

Funding available for 11 counties in the Miami Valley region impacted by late January storms.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:09pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a snow-covered rural scene with a small village in the distance, dwarfed by the overwhelming scale of the winter storm clouds above, conveying the raw power of the extreme weather conditions.A state-funded disaster relief program aims to help Ohio communities recover from the devastating impact of a recent winter storm system.Today in Dayton

The state of Ohio has activated a disaster relief program to provide reimbursement funding for local governments and private non-profit organizations in 11 counties across the Miami Valley region that were impacted by severe winter storms in late January. The program aims to cover repair costs, debris removal, and other emergency measures in areas where storm damage did not meet the threshold for federal assistance.

Why it matters

The state disaster relief program offers critical financial support to communities that faced significant storm damage but fell short of qualifying for federal aid. This helps ensure local governments and non-profits can fully address the impacts and restore normalcy for residents.

The details

The 11 counties included in the state disaster relief program are Butler, Darke, Greene, Madison, Mercer, Muskingum, Perry, Preble, Tuscarawas, Van Wert, and Warren. The funds can be used for repairs, debris removal, and other emergency protective measures. The Ohio Controlling Board must approve each funding request, and more information is available on the State Disaster Relief Program website.

  • The severe winter storms impacted the Miami Valley region in late January 2026.
  • Governor DeWine activated the State Disaster Relief Program on April 7, 2026.

The players

Governor Mike DeWine

The governor of Ohio who activated the state's disaster relief program for the impacted counties.

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What’s next

The Ohio Controlling Board will review and approve funding requests from the eligible counties and organizations to access the state disaster relief aid.

The takeaway

This state-level disaster assistance program provides a critical safety net for local communities that face significant storm damage but fall short of federal aid thresholds, helping ensure they can fully recover and restore normalcy for residents.