NORWOOD, Ohio -- People who suffered damage during August's historic flash floods won't be able to get at least one kind of assistance.
It turns out there wasn't enough damage.
Some 3 to 5 inches of rain fell in a short period of time Aug. 28, leaving some communities in the central and eastern part of Hamilton County saw feet-deep floodwaters.
Ryan McEwan, deputy director of the Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency, said a final review found the flooding event fell short of requirements to qualify for relief through the U.S. Small Business Administration. So, there won't be any funds available through Ohio's individual assistance program.
Hamilton County and the state of Ohio found three properties were destroyed, 18 suffered major damage and 596 suffered minor damage, with 93 others affected by the flooding some way. The SBA criteria is that 25 or more homes or businesses suffer damage with an uninsured loss of 40 percent or more.
McEwan said people who suffered damage should contact the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati if they haven't already. People who don't qualify for help from MSD or have more expenses can get help from the Ohio Valley Long-Term Recovery Committee.
The Ohio Treasurer's Office also has programs that could help with reduced interest rates on loans.
Mike Pittinger, wastewater collection superintendent for the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati, said earlier this month the agency was still fielding calls for flood damage. MSD had 2,400 reports by early October, he said, though most of the cleanup was already done.
August's flash floods closed Norwood and St. Bernard-Elmwood Place schools, along with Roger Bacon High School, for two days. The flooding also left Roger Bacon's field soaked and unusable in September.
