Disasters declared in 2 NW Ohio counties

FINDLAY — Natural disaster declarations were issued this week for two Northwest Ohio counties due to ongoing drought conditions in the state and much of the Midwest. Declarations were made for Wood and Ottawa counties, which makes emergency credit available. Farmers in Hancock County, along with other surrounding counties, are also eligible for the emergency credit. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's declaration allows the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency to issue emergency credit to farm operators in primary counties, Wood and Ottawa, and contiguous counties, which include Hancock, Erie, Henry, Lucas, Putnam, Sandusky and Seneca counties. The announcement was made Thursday by FSA. According to the agency, emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. The deadline for producers in designated primary and contiguous counties to apply for loans is July 7. Farmers in need of assistance can find information online at farmers.gov. The site includes a disaster assistance discovery tool, fact sheets and a loan assistance tool that can be used to help understand loan options. To file a notice of loss or for more information about available programs, contact the USDA Service Center. Contact information for local offices can be found on the USDA website: www.usda.gov. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Wood and Ottawa counties endured drought conditions rated from severe to exceptional for eight or more consecutive weeks. Exceptional drought is the worst condition rating. Maps released by the Drought Monitor on Thursday show some improvement in the Midwest due to recent heavy rains, however moderate drought expanded slightly in western Minnesota, eastern Indiana and western Ohio, and severe drought expanded over more of Northwest Ohio. Much of Hancock County is now experiencing severe drought, with conditions deteriorating over the past three weeks. Drought conditions are expected to persist through November in Ohio. According to the Climate Prediction Center, the Ohio Valley and Central Appalachians are expected to see drought improvement or removal by the end of January. Soil can retain more moisture in the cold winter months. However, there is still no clear precipitation pattern, with equal chances of it being below, near or above normal.