Hamilton County's Disaster Recovery Center will permanently close at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, ending in-person federal aid for residents hit by August's severe storms.

The center serves residents across Hamilton County, including Montgomery, Blue Ash and Sycamore Township, who suffered damage during the Aug. 10–22 storms. It is located at 1701 Patricia McCollum Way on the Hamilton County Central Campus in Cincinnati and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 16. No appointment is needed.

Representatives from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Ohio Emergency Management Agency and Hamilton County Emergency Management are on site to help visitors apply for federal assistance and answer questions.

The center opened Oct. 7 after President Trump issued a Major Disaster Declaration on Oct. 2 for seven Ohio counties, including Hamilton County. The declaration covers severe weather that included a derecho and an EF-1 tornado confirmed by the National Weather Service. The storms caused widespread power outages, road closures and debris across the county.

Residents and business owners who suffered losses can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance grants. The deadline for FEMA applications is Dec. 1. SBA physical-damage loan applications are also due Dec. 1, and Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications are due July 2, 2027.

After the center closes, residents can still apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or through the FEMA mobile app. SBA applications are available at sba.gov/disaster.

Hamilton County EMA said on X that the adjusted 9 a.m.–5 p.m. hours apply Wednesday through Friday before closure.

What to bring to the center:

  • Insurance policy number and company name, if insured
  • Current phone number and email address
  • Address at the time of the disaster and current address
  • Social Security number
  • General list of damage and losses
  • Banking information for direct deposit
  • Receipts for disaster-related purchases such as home repairs or hotel stays

Residents displaced by severe weather can call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. For general assistance, call United Way at 2-1-1.