Victims of the July 17-18 flooding so far have received almost $5 million in federal loans and $570,000 in state grants.

        The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved 170 low-interest loans for home owners, renters and businesses that sustained uninsured damage in the flooding.

        The SBA loans totaled $2.9 million in Hamilton County, $1.4 million in Butler County, $350,100 in Clermont County, $177,400 in Warren County and $136,200 in Preble County.

        “Most of the loans are for homes,” said Don Waite, spokesman for the SBA's regional office in Atlanta.

        Eighteen loans are being processed, he said.

        He said that 55 percent of the applications have been returned, an above-average return rate.

        “It's usually 45 to 50 percent,” he said. “We're pleased with it.”

        Ohio's individual assistance program has issued $570,000 in grants to 90 people, said Dick Kimmins, spokesman for the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. These grants are for flood victims who did not qualify for SBA loans.

        The deadline for applying for SBA loans and state individual assistance grants is Thursday.

        For information about SBA loans,, call (800) 359-2227. For information about the state grants, call (800) 545-0553.

        Meanwhile, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Fairfax officials to devise a plan for preventing future flooding.

        In Fairfax, the July flooding killed two people and damaged 75 houses. Many of those home owners want the federal government to buy and demolish their homes.

        Corps officials have said a federal buyout may be the least-expensive solution.

        FEMA became involved in late August when President Bush declared Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Brown counties disaster areas.

        “We need to decide which agency should be doing what,” said Roger Setters, project manager in the corps' Louisville office.

        The recent terrorist attacks could cause a delay in flood prevention recommendations for Fairfax, he said.

        “FEMA has its hands full with New York,” Mr. Setters said.

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