CINCINNATI (AP) — Nearly 700,000 Ohio homes and businesses are still without power, but federal help is on the way after President Barack Obama declared the state was in an emergency.

Obama’s action late Saturday followed a request by Gov. John Kasich (KAY’-sik), who had earlier declared a state emergency and called out the National Guard.

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials were meeting Sunday morning in Columbus with state officials to determine the biggest needs and where to take water, generators and other aid.

Severe storms that swept the state Friday evening knocked out power to 1 million customers, and widespread damage to poles and circuits have slowed restoration. Kasich called the situation “extremely serious” because of a continued heat wave.

Some 200 Guard troops will help recovery efforts in Cincinnati and Columbus.

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