This barn on Patrick Brush Run Road was one of more than 40 buildings in central Union County damaged by tornados earlier this month. Local, state and federal emergency management officials will be touring the community this week to assess damage in the area.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Mac Cordell)
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is expected to be in Union County this week assessing damage from the March 14 tornado that moved through central Union County.
Brad Gilbert, executive director of the Union County EMA, said local officials will be escorting the federal inspectors as well as those from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency throughout the community as they document and assess the damage. He said the property owners may see the FEMA officials inspecting property and taking pictures.
He said that “based on what they find, and based on the damage assessment,” federal officials will decide if the area will be declared a federal disaster area and determine if federal assistance will open up for residents. Gilbert said he does not know a timeline for when that determination could be made.
“I can’t imagine it would take too long, but I don’t know and I don’t know what to expect,” he said.
He said he does not know if the county or a portion of the county will meet the threshold to be determined a disaster area.
The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-2 tornado touched down that evening in Union County.
Gilbert has said that according to his estimate, at least 45 buildings in the county were damaged, 13 of which were destroyed or saw “significant damage” as a result of the storms.
He is asking homeowners with damage, particularly those who are uninsured for the damage, to contact his office at (937) 645-3174.
The Logan County and Federal emergency management agencies along with Gov. Mike DeWine will be in Logan County on Tuesday to conduct a similar damage assessment.
The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-3 tornado touched down in the Indian Lake community of Logan County, damaging thousands of buildings and killing three.
Marita Salkowski, with the American Red Cross, said any homeowner that needs assistance, has damage or knows of a neighbor with damage should contact the Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS.
In a statement last week, Honda announced it would donate $250,000 to support the United Way of Logan County and $100,000 to support the American Red Cross “to help in the recovery.”
Officials said the March 14 tornados that moved through Logan and Union counties and the recovery efforts have created “a challenging time for many local Ohio communities.”
“This hit close to home and our team has been providing volunteer support and donations to the Logan County community where we have our transmission plant in Russells Point, just down the road from Indian Lake,” according to a statement from spokesman Chris Abbruzzese.
Honda officials said the company would continue “widespread support of community relief efforts” as the region recovers from the tornados, which it said created “unprecedented challenges.”
“Teams of Honda associates responded to the crisis by assisting with cleanup and rebuilding efforts, providing essential support to residents as they began recovering from the devastation,” according to a statement from the company. “Associates continue visiting homes to provide information on local resources and tips on proper generator operation.”
Honda also announced it would make in-kind contributions of things like bins, gloves, safety vests, trash bags, hard hats, water, batteries, cardboard boxes, tape and shrink wrap to use in disaster relief efforts.
Honda said it is also offering associates “an opportunity to join tornado relief efforts” through a matching fund program. Honda will match eligible donations on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to $1,000 per associate.
“Everyone at Honda stands together as neighbors with our community during this challenging time and we are committed to supporting the relief and recovery efforts,” Bob Nelson, executive vice president, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., said in the statement. “On behalf of our Honda family, our hearts go out to all those affected by the tornadoes, and we want to enable all Honda associates – in Ohio and across the country – to support the relief and recovery efforts.”