Cincinnati agencies detail July 2026 flood response; $773K disbursed, 835 applications approved

Cincinnati officials reviewed the city's response to severe flooding in July 2026 during an October committee meeting. According to meeting notes, three agencies—the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD), Stormwater Management Utility, and the Department of Opportunity and Resident Services (DORS)—coordinated recovery efforts.

Reese Johnson, MSD's deputy director and chief engineer, described the storm's intensity as extreme, noting that 5 inches of rain fell in three hours. He pointed to the area's many impervious surfaces and non-porous geology as factors. Oliver Kroner, director of the Office of Environment & Sustainability, attributed the flood to greenhouse gases. Roy Hackworth, DORS division manager, said the most affected neighborhoods were Oakley, Hyde Park, Pleasant Ridge, Madisonville, and Kennedy Heights.

Infrastructure improvements and policy changes are underway to better handle future storms, according to the notes. The Stormwater Management Utility has led the creation of a department beyond Greater Cincinnati Waterworks for storm matters. Johnson said departments are working hard and spending significant money on damage claims from July 17 to July 21.

DORS's Supplemental Emergency Flood Relief Program has distributed $773,200 to residents and small businesses. Total expenditures are expected to exceed $1.3 million. Hackworth reported 970 applications and 835 approvals. The program has ended, but about 160 applicants still need to provide or verify information.

Co-chair Ryan James asked about denied applications and the screening process. Hackworth said DORS responded to MSD's list as information was provided, and a hotline was available. He added that MSD's list was not organized alphabetically or by neighborhood. DORS verified damages through photos and documentation.

James was critical of assigning such matters to DORS, a new department, and said he does not want it to become a crisis response team. Follow-up questions included what options exist for denied applicants and whether future flood relief will be prioritized in budgets.