I can't believe I missed this!

Thanks Zach Space for stepping up and getting the ball rolling!
From today's The Times Reporter:

In light of the flooding conditions in the Tuscarawas Valley, as well as eastern and southern Ohio, U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, is calling on Gov. Ted Strickland to take swift action by declaring affected counties as disaster areas.

Space’s office noted Wednesday that representatives also have been in touch with the Army Corps of Engineers and Federal Emergency Management Agency pushing for a disaster designation, which would bring emergency assistance and funding to help recovery efforts in the Tuscarawas Valley.

“There is little doubt in my mind that we need disaster assistance, but that is unfortunately not my call to make,” Space said. “I am strongly encouraging Gov. Strickland to take the steps necessary to get disaster assistance to these affected areas.

“We all remember how vital disaster assistance was in the wake of the devastating 2005 floods,” Space said in a statement. “With entire communities being cut off by floodwaters, serious questions about the local infrastructure, and homes flooding, we need all the help we can get.”

Space and his staff have contacted local, state and federal authorities in an attempt to facilitate the disaster designation process.

A request from the governor, however, is necessary for FEMA to initiate action, he said.
In 2005, FEMA authorized $9.9 million in individual disaster assistance.

For more information, residents can call Muskingum Area Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at (330) 343-3613 or (866) 502-2570 for those outside the Muskingum Watershed area.

– Office of Zack Space

Now if we could also do something about that burning landfill just north of the flood zone. Oh wait, that's probably best for another website. Life in Tuscarawas County is never dull...or even sometimes safe :-)