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USDA and FEMA designated disaster areas in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois

These designations offer relief for farmers facing significant losses, allowing them to apply for financial assistance to cover recovery costs.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have designated multiple counties across Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and surrounding states as primary and contiguous disaster areas. These designations follow recent severe droughts, storms, and flooding that have impacted agricultural operations, allowing the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide critical emergency loans to farmers and producers in affected areas.

USDA declares drought emergency in Ohio counties

The USDA has designated five Ohio counties—Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, and Williams—as primary natural disaster areas due to severe and extreme drought conditions. This designation extends emergency credit to farmers and producers impacted by the drought, allowing them to apply for loans that can cover recovery needs such as equipment replacement, livestock replenishment, and debt refinancing. The USDA’s emergency loans aim to help agricultural operations recover and rebuild after sustaining significant losses.

Contiguous counties eligible for assistance include:

  • Ohio: Hancock, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, and Wood
  • Indiana: Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben
  • Michigan: Hillsdale, Lenawee, and Monroe

Farmers in these areas have until June 16, 2025, to apply for USDA emergency loans. They can access tools and resources, including the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool.

FEMA designates disaster area for Illinois following severe storms

In addition to the USDA’s drought relief in Ohio, FEMA has designated seven Illinois counties—Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will, and Winnebago—as disaster areas due to severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding from July 13-16, 2024. The affected counties, and contiguous areas, now qualify for USDA emergency loans to support recovery efforts for farms impacted by damaged equipment, lost livestock, and disrupted operations. Contiguous counties eligible for assistance include multiple counties across Illinois and neighboring areas in Indiana, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

Farmers and producers in these areas have until May 20, 2025, to apply for assistance. FEMA also provides additional programs for individuals, public groups, and private nonprofits impacted by the storms.

For more information or to apply for aid, farmers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center or visit FEMA’s assistance site. These disaster designations underscore the federal government’s commitment to supporting agricultural resilience and recovery in rural communities.

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