Washington Township Police and Indian Lake Schools Resource Officer Logan Miller, kneeling, reads Post-it Note comments residents shared about their concerns about housing related to long-term disaster recovery efforts at a Logan County EMA open house Thursday evening. The evening also happened to coincide with the timing of President Joe Biden’s declaration of FEMA declaration for Logan County. (EXAMINER PHOTO | T.J. HUBBARD)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Biden declared on Thursday, May 2, that a major disaster exists in the State of Ohio and ordered federal assistance to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by tornadoes March 14.
The move will allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency and various federal resources to assist Logan and the 10 other tornado-impacted Ohio counties. Logan County’s FEMA declaration is DR# 4777.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Locally, the timing of the FEMA declaration happened to coincide with the Logan County EMA’s Community Recovery Planning Open House Thursday evening at Indian Lake High School.
Logan County EMA Director Hellen Norris said a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is tentatively expected to be established late next week or early the week of May 13.
A Small Business Administration Business Center will also be established for business owners in need of assistance with their applications.
The open house enabled tornado victims and community members to discuss and connect about ongoing unmet needs and to provide input about the area’s long-term recovery efforts concerning housing, transportation, infrastructure, zoning, floodplain, debris, communications and more.
Subcommittees have been formed and they were present to document input on areas of concern, needs in the community and to provide a vision for Indian Lake’s future.
For tornado-impacted residents, FEMA advises for those with insurance coverage to first file a claim.
If you have uninsured or underinsured losses, residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App.
Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service.
Federal assistance may include temporary lodging, basic home repairs and other disaster-related expenses.
Have the following information ready when you register with FEMA:
• A current phone number where you can be contacted
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
• Your social security number (or the social security number of a minor child in your household, if you’re applying on their behalf)
• A general list of damage and losses
• Banking information if you choose direct deposit
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name
Those who already made repairs or started their recovery should still apply.
FEMA inspectors are trained to recognize damage caused by a disaster even after recovery has started, and they will discuss that damage with you when they come to your home. Be prepared to show repair receipts, photos and any other disaster-related documentation as well.
Getting help to those who need it most is priority. Recovery teams will be out soon in the neighborhoods affected by the disaster to provide one-on-one support to individuals. Recovery centers will also be opening for individuals to get additional, in-person help. For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Ohio, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4777.
Mr. Toney L. Raines of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.