Gov. Mike DeWine asked President Donald Trump to declare a major federal disaster for 23 Ohio counties. The declaration could unlock housing grants and low-interest loans for New Albany and Gahanna residents still cleaning up from August storms.

DeWine sent the request Sept. 2, according to Spectrum News 1. Both Franklin County, home to most of New Albany and Gahanna, and Licking County, which includes parts of New Albany, are on the list.

Preliminary damage assessments by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) found at least 50 homes and businesses destroyed across the 23 counties. Another 806 sustained major damage and 475 had minor damage.

"Federal assistance will be critical in helping the Ohioans impacted by last month's severe weather recover and move forward with their lives," DeWine said in the letter.

Between Aug. 10 and Aug. 23, Ohio documented 17 tornadoes. Four people were injured and two died. Authorities carried out roughly 59 water rescues statewide.

What it means locally

The Aug. 20 flooding hit close to home. Emergency crews responded to water rescues near Gahanna that day, and Gahanna schools canceled classes, NBC4 reported. Thompson Road in New Albany was among the roads affected. In Licking County, the flooding forced closure of Interstate 70 near Buckeye Lake and triggered a mandatory evacuation of the village.

Licking County issued its own emergency declaration Aug. 27, according to the Newark Advocate. Commissioner Tim Bubb said that while not all of the county's 185,000 residents suffered severe damage, enough did that the county needs outside help with disaster recovery.

What aid could come

If Trump approves the declaration, FEMA's Individual Assistance Grant Program would offer grants for temporary housing, home repairs, rental assistance and replacement of personal property. The program also covers crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services, according to WTAP. The SBA would offer low-interest loans for uninsured property losses. DeWine also requested FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to reduce future disaster losses.

Congressional backing

U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno and U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson, all Ohio Republicans, issued a joint statement Sept. 3 urging Trump to approve the request quickly. Husted toured flood-damaged Reynoldsburg on Aug. 28, where he saw washed-out basements and a home taped off as uninhabitable. "Let's get it done fast. Let's get them the resources they need," Husted said during that visit, as NBC4 reported.

Clark County Emergency Management Agency Director Michelle Clements Pitstick told Dayton 24/7 Now there is no guaranteed timeline for the federal review. Residents with immediate needs for food, shelter or clothing can call 211.