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Franklin County declares disaster after April 13 storms to pursue public assistance
Summary
The Board of Franklin County Commissioners approved a disaster declaration April 15 after Emergency Management Director Tom Winter reported tornado-related structural damage from April 13 storms; the declaration aims to make the county eligible for public assistance funds and passed unanimously.
Emergency Management Director Tom Winter told the Board that the April 13 storm produced a tornado that "touched down in the city limits of Ottawa and other areas of Franklin County," causing structural damage. Winter told commissioners that Franklin County must declare a disaster to be eligible for public assistance funds.
Commissioner Colton Waymire moved to approve the disaster declaration and proclamation; Commissioner Ianne Dickinson seconded the motion. All five commissioners voted yes and the declaration was adopted.
How this matters: the disaster declaration is a procedural step that enables the county to pursue public-assistance funding for storm-related damage. The transcript records the board’s unanimous vote; the declaration establishes the county’s eligibility to seek assistance but the transcript does not detail specific programs or expected funding levels.
Next steps recorded in the meeting: with the proclamation adopted, county emergency-management staff can proceed with the administrative steps needed to apply for available aid. The board adjourned the meeting at 9:33 a.m.
