Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval declared a state of emergency July 21, after back-to-back floods damaged more than two dozen businesses and homes combined across the city's East Side in less than a week. The declaration clears the way for a small-business grant program the city is developing with the Cincinnati Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Pureval told the Cincinnati Enquirer on July 22, that the declaration allows the city to suspend normal procurement rules, accept donations, and pursue state and federal relief dollars. Eligibility details and dollar amounts for the grant program are expected by the end of the week of July 21, he said.
"This is an emergency," Pureval said. "People are in need, and all of us at the city, state and federal governments have to work quickly to take down barriers and to provide dollars and support to those who are in crisis right now."
Mariemont, Madeira among hardest hit
The National Weather Service recorded 4 to 5 inches of rain in Mariemont during July 17's storms, placing it among the hardest-hit communities in Hamilton County alongside Norwood, Silverton, and Fairfax. Rain gauges around Madeira measured about 4 inches. The weather service logged 27 separate flood or flash flood reports across Greater Cincinnati that day, and post-storm flood warnings specifically named Mariemont and Terrace Park among communities at continued risk.
Many businesses were still cleaning up from Friday when a second round of storms struck July 21. Floodwaters again covered roads in front of shops like Neko Sushi in Hyde Park Square, which was submerged for the second time. The Metropolitan Sewer District received more than 900 reports of sewer backups and basement flooding from Friday's event alone.
Federal aid uncertain
Federal funding is far from guaranteed. Ryan McEwan, assistant director of the Hamilton County Emergency Management and Home Security Agency, told the Enquirer the county is collecting damage data from Cincinnati and other jurisdictions to send to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. But he cautioned that the damage may not reach federal thresholds.
"There's no indication that we're going to meet those thresholds," McEwan said. He noted that a 100-year storm in August 2016 that flooded Cincinnati also failed to qualify for state or federal assistance.
Pureval said he spoke with Gov. Mike DeWine on July 21 about the declaration. DeWine did not indicate whether or when he would declare a state emergency, encouraging the city to keep OEMA updated on damage assessments.
Sycamore Township declared its own storm damage emergency for the July 17-18 storms. The township is offering free brush chipping for residents on August 1, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the parking lot behind the Township Administration Building at 8540 Kenwood Road.
What business owners should do
The city plans to announce an application process for relief funds by the end of the week of July 21, according to Pureval. Specific dollar amounts and eligibility criteria have not been released.
Business owners and residents whose properties were damaged can contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS or the United Way of Greater Cincinnati at 211 or 513-762-7100 for immediate flood assistance.
