The same agencies in local municipalities that worked tirelessly to clean up summer storm damage could be reimbursed for money spent on extra law enforcement, fire crews' overtime and debris removal.


Early reports tallying damage from Ohio's storms in June stand at about $29 million, and many counties in the state are hoping for federal disaster relief, including Belmont County.


The storms swept through parts of the state with intense winds that left thousands of homes and businesses without power, in some cases, for weeks.

"We know that smaller government agencies don't have a lot of money and this storm cut into their budget," Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesman Leo Skinner said.


FEMA representatives said while they can't talk about numbers at this time, they were given approval by Gov. John Kasich to start a joint preliminary damage assessment across the state.

Ultimately, reimbursement for local government agencies lies in President Barack Obama's hands, as he makes the final call on whether to issue a federal disaster declaration.

Skinner said four teams are scouring 30 counties in Ohio, conducting a joint preliminary damage assessment. The assessment ultimately determines the amount of damage caused by storms on June 29 and July 2.


On Thursday, FEMA representatives met with local government agencies in Belmont County. From there, officials will prepare a report and sent it to the governor's office for review.

"We just sit down with each local jurisdiction, agency and county engineer, township, and look at the money they spent responding to the storms," Skinner said.



As a NEWS9 crew was leaving the Belmont County Emergency Management Agency on Thursday, FEMA representative were headed to their next stop in Monroe County.

Stay with NEWS9, WTOV9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for the latest information on damage and possible reimbursements.