How Cincinnati-area agencies responded to July flooding

Notes

Meeting Agenda

https://cincinnatioh.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1448766&GUID=88AAB7E4-65A6-4AD2-9838-A3D8A3AD8670

Committee Members:

Council Member Meeka Owens, committee chair

Council Member Ryan James, co-chair

Council Member Mark Jeffreys 

Council Member Seth Walsh (absent)

Other Meeting Attendees: 

Council Member Anna Albi 

Presenters:

Reese Johnson, deputy director and chief engineer of Metropolitan Sewer District

Diana Christy, director, Metropolitan Sewer District

Jason Fleming, interim director, Stormwater Management Utility

Markiea Carter, director, Department of Opportunity and Resident Services

Roy Hackworth, division manager, Department of Opportunity and Resident Services

Oliver Kroner, director, Office of Environment & Sustainability

July 2026 Stormwater Aftermath 

The Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD), Stormwater Management Utility and the Cincinnati Department of Opportunity and Resident Services (DORS) worked together to respond to the aftermath of the storm and flooding in July.

Reese Johnson, deputy director and chief engineer of MSD, spoke to the severity of the storm and its outcomes/effects on community members. 

Johnson described the intensity of the storm as “off the charts,” as 5 inches of rain fell within three hours. 

Committee Chair Meeka Owens inquired about Cincinnati experiencing more rain events lately. 

Johnson spoke to the large amount of “impervious surfaces” in the area and described the geology in the Tristate as not very porous, making it harder for water to move through the soil. 

Oliver Kroner, director of the Office of Environment & Sustainability, attributed the flood to greenhouse gases. 

The most impacted neighborhoods based on reporting were Oakley, Hyde Park, Pleasant Ridge, Madisonville and Kennedy Heights, according to Roy Hackworth, DORS division manager.

Major improvements to infrastructure are underway, as well as the implementation of administrative and policy changes to respond more effectively to future storms/flooding.

Stormwater Management Utility has led the charge of the creation of a department, beyond Greater Cincinnati Waterworks, responsible for handling storm matters. 

Flood Relief Efforts

According to Johnson, these departments are  “working very hard and spending a lot of money” to address the damage claims sent by residents from July 17 to July 21.

To date, the Supplemental Emergency Flood Relief Program led by DORS has dispersed $773,200 to affected residents and small business owners to support storm/flood-related damages. Total expenditures are expected to exceed $1.3 million.

According to Hackworth, 970 city resident and small business applications were reported, and 835 were approved.

As the flood relief program has ended, Hackworth mentioned that DORS is still working with about 160 applicants who need to provide or verify additional information.

Committee Co-chair Ryan James inquired about people whose applications were denied, with follow-up questions regarding the screening process.

DORS responded to those included on MSD’s list as the information was provided to them, Hackworth said. There was also a hotline option for residents to apply. Hackworth added that MSD’s list was not organized alphabetically or by neighborhood.

DORS verified the damages reported through photos and various documentation submitted by residents. 

James mentioned being “critical” of these kinds of matters being given to DORS – a new city department – to handle. James added that he does not want DORS to be the “Crisis Response Team.”

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