McARTHUR, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency Tuesday across 18 Ohio counties as communities in southeastern and western Ohio continued to assess damage from September storms. DeWine made the announcement while touring flood damage in Vinton County, where floodwaters damaged roads, homes, businesses and public facilities. The declaration is intended to help direct state resources to local governments that lack the capacity to manage the scale of the destruction. “You’ve got damage that goes well beyond state roads,” DeWine said during the visit. The emergency declaration covers Gallia, Meigs, Jackson, Ross, Pike, Perry, Morgan, Pickaway, Athens, Highland, Muskingum, Clermont, Montgomery, Preble, Mercer, Van Wert, Logan and Greene counties. “We have small townships, small communities that frankly do not have the resources to really deal with — we don’t even know how much damage there is,” DeWine said. Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain said flooding had prompted at least 60 water rescues. Although water levels were beginning to drop, he said dangerous conditions remained on local roads. “We’ve actually got roadways that are suspended in the air,” Cain said, explaining that floodwaters had washed away pavement support and the soil beneath it. Some sections could collapse under the weight of a vehicle, he said. The full extent of the damage was becoming clearer as floodwaters receded. At Renovate Life Church of God, Pastor James Dimel said several feet of water destroyed the building and wiped out its food pantry. “It took out everything,” Dimel said, describing the church as a complete loss. “It’s one of those things where you want to sit down and cry, but you have too much work.” The declaration comes as local emergency crews continue road inspections, rescue operations and damage assessments. State assistance could be especially important for rural townships and small communities facing costly repairs to transportation networks and essential facilities.