COLUMBUS— The Ohio Emergency Management Agency announced today that grants will soon be available to local communities, eligible non-profit organizations and state agencies for hazard mitigation projects due to the flooding in southern and eastern Ohio that occurred in February.
- The grants fund projects that reduce future disaster risks
- Ohio's top priority hazards are flooding and wind
- The deadline to apply is July 10 at 5 p.m.
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds post-disaster projects that reduce or eliminate risk to people and property.
Ohio EMA’s Mitigation Branch Chief Steve Ferryman says elevating homes above flood levels and building community safe rooms for tornado protection are examples of frequently funded projects.
“These hazard mitigation grants fund activities to reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future damages,” said Ohio EMA Executive Director Sima Merick. “In Ohio the majority of these funds go toward the acquisition and demolition of repetitively flooded structures.”
Ferryman says that once demolished, the properties are deed restricted as open spaces so that nothing can be built on them.
Local hazard mitigation plans determine project priorities. According to the EMA, Ohio’s highest priority hazards are flooding and wind.
The deadline to submit pre-applications for HMGP funding is 5 p.m. on July 10, 2019.
The Slate Hazard Mitigation Team will choose the applicants who can go on to develop full applications.