Dayton, Ohio – Montgomery County officials are asking residents whose homes or other properties were damaged by flooding and storms on September 21 and 22 to report what happened through the county’s Public Damage Assessment Form.
The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency is collecting the reports as officials work to determine the overall impact of the severe weather. Residents are being reminded that the form is used only to document storm related property damage. Submitting it does not serve as an application for financial assistance.
The request follows Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s decision earlier this week to declare a State of Emergency covering 19 counties, including Montgomery County. Ohio has asked local emergency management agencies to provide information about storm damage by October 6.
Information collected from residents will help officials measure the extent of the damage and determine whether additional resources from the state could become available.
“Every report matters when we’re working to understand the full impact of a storm,” Commission President Carolyn Rice said. “We need residents to report damage to their property so we have a clear, accurate record of the impact across Montgomery County and can share that information with the state. If you experienced damage, please take a few minutes to report it.”
Residents asked to provide detailed damage information
People should complete one report for every property that was affected. Officials are encouraging residents to include as much information as they can so emergency management officials have an accurate picture of conditions throughout Montgomery County.
Photos of the damage are optional. Residents who have pictures may send them by email to [email protected]. The email subject line should use the format ‘YourLastName_Damage Assessment’.
Nedra Havens, director of the Montgomery County EMA, said reports submitted by residents can help officials understand both the size of the impact and the needs that have developed following the storms.
“Information from residents helps us see the scope of the damage and identify the needs of our community and trends,” said Nedra Havens, Director of Montgomery County EMA. “That information helps us advocate for Montgomery County and provide the state with the documentation it needs. Photos are also helpful when they’re available, but please never put yourself in an unsafe situation to document damage.”
Officials stressed that personal safety should remain the priority. Residents should not enter dangerous areas or put themselves at risk simply to take photographs for a damage report.
The Public Damage Assessment Form can be found through Montgomery County’s online storm damage reporting resources. Residents can also find additional information and resources related to storm damage through the Montgomery County EMA.
County officials again emphasized an important distinction for residents submitting information. The damage assessment form provides officials with documentation needed to understand the effects of the September 21 and 22 storms, but it does not represent an application for financial aid.
By collecting reports before the state’s October 6 deadline, Montgomery County officials hope to create a clearer record of damage across the county and provide Ohio officials with the information needed to assess what additional state resources may be available.
