No disaster relief for Summit County after major August floods

AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) - James and Jasmine Szemenyei experienced intense flooding at their Akron home back in August.

"It came on pretty fast started coming in through the doors," James said. "By the end of the night the highest it got was about waist high outside the house."

The couple said they lost two cars, power tools, and other major belongings.

"Everything in the garage was floating around," Jasmine said.

This week, they learned Summit County did not qualify for federal or state disaster aid through FEMA.

On Friday, Governor Mike DeWine announced which counties will receive reimbursement through the State Disaster Relief Program.

The SDRP is a reimbursement program that can be used in instances where storm damage amounts do not meet the threshold for federal assistance, but do meet state program requirements. This program is intended to provide supplemental state assistance to local governments and eligible private non-profit organizations for costs associated with debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent work.

Monroe County: Flooding and severe storms, Jan. 24-25.

Belmont, Guernsey, Jefferson, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, and Washington counties: Flooding and severe storms, April 1-4.

Darke and Mercer counties: Tornadoes, May 7-8.

Cuyahoga County: Tornadoes and severe storms, Aug. 6.

The SDRP is authorized for counties whose damages meet a countywide per capita indicator. Governor DeWine's authorization allows the Ohio Emergency Management Agency to request the funding from the Ohio Controlling Board.

Summit County was not on the list.

"It's kind of discouraging, it makes you a little emotional," Jasmine said.

Now the Szemenyei family is working to replace everything they lost.

"Just our renter's insurance was useless," Jasmine said. "We have a pretty good policy but it doesn't matter so it's discouraging to hear they're not going to help."