Ohio lawmakers ask Obama for disaster declaration after storms

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) released a statement Monday saying that he and Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) sent President Obama a letter urging him to declare Ohio a major disaster area after the state was battered by summer storms.

“We are writing in support of Governor John Kasich’s request for a major disaster declaration for the state of Ohio,” the letter stated. “These storms caused significant damage with debris that remains to be cleared as well as significant power outages during an extreme heat wave.”

Local officials have been trying to deal with debris removal, power restoration and water distribution since the storms occurred, from June 29 to July 2.

The lawmakers said a major disaster declaration is necessary to ensure state and local authorities have necessary resources available to assist affected areas.

Ohio Reps. Steve Austria (R), Steve Chabot (R), Marcia Fudge (D), Bob Gibbs (R), Bill Johnson (R), Jim Jordan (R), Marcy Kaptur (D), Dennis Kucinich (D), Steven LaTourette (R), Bob Latta (R), James Renacci (R), Tim Ryan (D), Jean Schmidt (R), Steve Stivers (R), Betty Sutton (D), Patrick Tiberi (R) and Michael Turner (R) also signed the letter.

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