Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has authorized the use of the State Disaster Relief Program to assist Ashtabula County with expenses related to a severe winter storm that impacted the region from Nov. 29 to Dec. 5, 2024.

The storm, fueled by lake-effect snow, dumped record amounts of snow across parts of Northeast Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania. Ashtabula County was among the hardest hit areas, with some locations reporting over five feet of snow. The heavy snowfall disrupted travel, forced road closures, and caused damage to trees, bushes, and some structures.

The SDRP is a reimbursement program designed to help local governments and eligible private non-profit organizations recover from storm damage that, while significant, does not meet the threshold for federal disaster assistance. It covers costs associated with debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent repairs.

The program can only be activated in counties where damage meets a specific per capita indicator. DeWine’s authorization allows the Ohio Emergency Management Agency to request funding from the Ohio Controlling Board.