A FEMA disaster recovery center opened Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Cincinnati, offering Clermont County residents face-to-face help applying for federal storm aid.

The center is at the Hamilton County Central Campus, 1701 Patricia McCollum Way, in the Bond Hill neighborhood. Loveland residents in Clermont County and others affected by August's derecho are among those that may be eligible for assistance.

The deadline to apply is Dec. 1.

Staff from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Ohio Department of Insurance, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency will be on site to walk visitors through applications one-on-one, according to the Clermont Guardian.

Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Nick Crossley told commissioners on Tuesday, Oct. 6, that the center would remain open two to four weeks, as reported by WVXU.

What you can claim

The center helps residents file for uninsured losses tied to the Aug. 10-22 severe weather.

The disaster declaration activates FEMA's Individual Assistance Grant Program, which can cover temporary housing, home repairs, rental assistance, replacement of personal property, crisis counseling and disaster unemployment assistance. Low-interest SBA loans are also available.

Hours and what to bring

After its noon-to-8 p.m. opening Wednesday, the center runs on this schedule:

• Weekdays: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sundays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visitors should bring insurance information, current contact details, pre- and post-disaster addresses, Social Security numbers, a list of damaged or lost property, banking information for direct deposit and receipts for any disaster-related purchases.

Residents who cannot travel to Bond Hill can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or through the FEMA mobile app.

Background

The mid-August storms, confirmed by the National Weather Service as a derecho, knocked out power to nearly 40,000 Clermont County customers at the peak, according to Clermont County Emergency Management Agency Director Shawn Riley. The storms also caused flooding, downed trees and road closures across the region.

President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Clermont and six other Ohio counties on Friday, Oct. 2. Riley said in the county's announcement on Oct. 5 that the declaration would provide financial help for residents and businesses still recovering from the storms.

The center's exact closing date has not been announced, but Crossley's two-to-four-week estimate puts it in late October or early November.