Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) today said he supports the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to declare a primary disaster designation for 85 Ohio counties affected by drought, frost and freezes, excessive rain and flooding, and hail. 

“Ohio farmers and families are struggling to make ends meet amid a hurting economy, and the drought and other natural disasters have added to their troubles,” Portman said.  “I am hopeful that this disaster designation will lessen their burdens and ease their worries by helping these farmers navigate through this difficult season.”

USDA has declared 85 counties primary natural disaster areas in four separate designations: drought and excessive heat that occurred during the period of February 1, 2012, and continuing, frost and freezes that occurred during the period of March 1 through May 31, 2012, excessive rain, flooding, and flash flooding that occurred during the period of May 2 through May 4, 2012, and hail that occurred on July 1, 2012.