MCARTHUR, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency Tuesday for 19 Ohio counties hit by severe weather and flooding, including five in the Scioto Valley region.
Ross, Pike, Highland, Pickaway and Vinton counties are among those covered by the proclamation, which DeWine signed after meeting with local officials, first responders and residents in Vinton County, where flooding caused significant damage.
The other counties included are Athens, Clermont, Gallia, Greene, Jackson, Logan, Meigs, Mercer, Montgomery, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Preble and Van Wert, according to the governor’s office.
The declaration directs all relevant state departments and agencies to provide services, equipment, supplies and personnel to assist local cleanup efforts.
“We’ve seen significant flooding and damage across several Ohio counties,” DeWine said in a statement. “The state is working closely with local officials to provide the resources needed to help communities respond and recover.”
The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio State Highway Patrol will continue assisting local authorities, and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency remains engaged with county and state partners on the recovery effort, according to the release.
Vinton County thanked first responders this week for their work during days of flash flooding, and Ross County commissioners declared their own local state of emergency Sept. 14 as floodwaters swept through the county.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Office of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.
