Senator Sherrod Brown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators George V. Voinovich (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today sent a letter from the Ohio Congressional Delegation calling on President George W. Bush to grant Governor Ted Strickland’s request for a federal emergency declaration in response to wind storms that occurred throughout Ohio on September 14.

“I was deeply saddened by the destruction left in the path of Hurricane Ike, the remnants of which took a serious toll on Ohio,” said Voinovich, a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee which oversees FEMA. “I know Ohioans are hurting and nature taking its toll doesn’t help. I will do everything I can to help bring all available federal relief back to Ohioans.”

“Ohioans have banded together during this challenging time, but there are still important needs that must be addressed,” said Brown. “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost lives in this storm. I applaud the Governor’s leadership and strongly support his request for an emergency declaration. With the storm affecting the health, education, and safety of Ohioans, federal assistance is clearly necessary.”

The Sep. 14 wind storm left nearly two million Ohio households and businesses without power and affected 84 of the state’s 88 counties. At least 450 schools were closed and the storm led to five deaths.

A full copy of the letter follows.

Dear Mr. President:

We are writing in support of Governor Ted Strickland’s request for a statewide federal emergency declaration in Ohio as a result of a wind storm that occurred on September 14, 2008. 

Hurricane level gusts of wind across the state left almost two million households and businesses in Ohio without power.  Tragically, these wind gusts were also responsible for the loss of at least five lives.  Some 84 Ohio counties have reported damages and outages due to the wind storm, and at least 450 schools were closed.  We are told that the damage is severe enough that the outpouring of local, state and voluntary efforts still leaves significant needs unmet.  We therefore believe federal assistance is necessary to ensure the health and safety of Ohioans in these counties.

We fully support Governor Strickland’s request for a federal emergency declaration and urge your prompt consideration of his request in accordance with all relevant rules, laws and regulations.  Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

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