COLUMBUS, Ohio — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated 22 Ohio counties as natural disaster areas because of the state’s drought.
The move announced Tuesday by the department's Farm Service Agency will allow farmers in those 22 counties and 18 neighboring counties to apply for emergency loans from the federal government.
Most Ohio counties are experiencing abnormally dry conditions this summer, with those in the state's southeast being the hardest hit.
The counties listed in the natural disaster declaration are Athens, Belmont, Fairfield, Fayette, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Vinton and Washington.
The neighboring counties that are also eligible are Adams, Brown, Carroll, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Columbiana, Coshocton, Franklin, Greene, Lawrence, Licking, Meigs, Scioto, Tuscarawas, and Union counties.
The USDA said these counties have had eight or more consecutive weeks of severe drought.
The government said the loans can be used to meet recovery needs including the replacement of essential items like equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or to refinance certain debts. The FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. The deadline to apply is April 28, 2025.
This comes as Columbus experienced its third driest summer since 1879.
According to the National Weather Service, Columbus only received 5.07 inches of rain from June 1 to Aug. 31 (meteorological summer). Normally between June through August, we receive 12.74 inches of rain.
The lack of rain has caused about 75% of the state to be under some level of drought. Nearly 43% of the state is dealing with "Severe Drought" conditions or worse.
For the first time in the history of the U.S. Drought Monitor, parts of Athens and Meigs County are under the worst level — Exceptional Drought.
Incredibly, as of the end of May, no locations in Ohio were experiencing any drought conditions.
To learn how to apply for assistance, click here.