Karen Huey, left, Ohio Department of Public Safety assistant director, speaks to attendees at the Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce’s annual Legislative Luncheon. (EXAMINER PHOTO | MANDY LOEHR)
The ongoing community recovery from the EF3 tornado that struck Indian Lake and Logan County March 14 was a major focus of discussion at the Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce’s annual Legislative Luncheon Thursday, June 20, including impending deadlines for applying for FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration assistance.
Karen Huey, Ohio Department of Public Safety assistant director, told the crowd gathered that at the Fion Wine Room in Huntsville that $3 million in FEMA assistance has already been distributed.
“It was a big win for Ohio to receive the individual FEMA declaration,” she said. “I hope that you feel supported by the state. It’s important to us and the governor that you feel supported.”
The last remaining FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Ohio is still open in Logan County through June 26 at the Indian Lake EMS building, 280 N. Oak St., Lakeview, to assist with the July 1 application deadline.
Huey noted that 500 people have already visited the Disaster Recovery Center in Logan County.
The Logan County EMA also makes an important distinction that FEMA Assistance is a grant and does not have to be re-paid by recipients.
“They may assist in specific cases of delayed insurance settlement, but in that situation you would know up front that the amount is to be re-paid once insurance is received. If in doubt, ask FEMA to verify.”
Relating to the Small Business Administration loans, there have been 103 applications locally and $1.4 millions has been distributed thus far to businesses and home owners, Huey said. July 1 also is the application deadline for these loans.
The Logan County EMA notes that Small Business Administration Assistance is a loan and does have to be re-paid.
“These loans offer a very low fixed interest rate and can be set up for longer repayment terms, including rolling in an existing mortgage along with repair costs to make payments more manageable,” the EMA reports.
To apply for FEMA assistance without visiting a center, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety assistant director noted that it could take up to six to eight months for applicants to receive their SBA funding.
Fellow Indian Lake Schools Superintendent Dr. Rob Underwood also provided a detailed look during the luncheon at the numbers of students affected by the tornado. He also related the tremendous support that the community has felt after the devastating natural disaster.
“It has been just overwhelming, the outpouring of support from all over. I just recently picked up a round of supplies from up near Bowling Green,” he said.
“I’m very proud of our staff and students. It was a hard year, but we remained focused. I’m really humbled and blessed to be a part of this community.”
He reported that as of mid-May, about 209 students were directly impacted by the storm, and since then, about 135 pupils have returned to their homes.
“About 85 students were homeless almost immediately after the storm hit. With that comes certain federal requirements that we as a district have to follow, including lunches for students and transportation to all students. We were sending vans out on long routes to pick up and drop off students.”
Underwood noted that more recently, 32 students had been displaced but still living at a home within the district, while on the other side, 22 students had been displaced who were living in homes outside of the Indian Lake School District.
Also related to the storm, the superintendent said the $1.4 million in roof repairs are necessary because of hail damage from the tornado, but the cost to the district will be approximately $200,000, with the rest covered by insurance.
The district’s HVAC project also will be finished up this summer, resulting in all classrooms in K-12 being air conditioned in the upcoming school year, Underwood noted.
Ohio State Highway Patrol Staff Lt. Tiffiany Meeks, right, speaks about a video project highlighting Indian Lake at Thursday’s annual Legislative Luncheon. (EXAMINER PHOTO | MANDY LOEHR)
Ohio State Highway Patrol Staff Lt. Tiffiany Meeks from the Public Affairs Unit also reported on a video project that her department is working on to promote the Indian Lake area being fully back open for business this summer after the tornado.
“At the OHP Public Affairs Unit, we want to do everything we can to help Indian Lake and clear up any misconceptions after the storm,” she said, noting that she got to spend time on a boat zipping around the Indian Lake to film for the video, thanks to the assistance of local residents.
“Through talking with people here, we found that the essence of Indian Lake is, ‘We welcome you.’ We want to relay that through the videos that people can come back and enjoy the lake and everything it has to offer.”
Relating to summertime at the lake, Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce President Amber Fagan noted that the Light Up the Lake Fireworks Spectacular is going to be even bigger and better this year, and is slated for 10 p.m. Saturday, July 6.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ District Parks and Watercraft Manager Josh Gardner about spoke about the clean up at Indian Lake after the March 14 storm, noting the “hundreds and hundreds of volunteers from this community” that made it possible for Indian Lake State Park to reopen just two weeks after the natural disaster.
He noted while much debris has been cleaned up from the lake since then, there will still be a modified “no wake zone” in place during the upcoming weeks.
“We want everyone to be safe while they’re out boating and enjoying Indian Lake.”
The initial quick clean up efforts at the lake meant visitors were able to enjoy the total solar eclipse at Indian Lake April 8, with Gardner noting that he met people from 25 different states while spending time that day at Old Field Beach.
Regarding the weed issue at Indian Lake, the ODNR official noted the vast improvements that have been made in the last two years, enabling the public to enjoy boating and other recreational opportunities on the lake once again.
“We’ve made huge strides compared to two years ago,” he said.
Last year, there were more than 1,000 acres of milfoil weed, and now this year, its presence is very minimal at less than 25 acres. Herbicides were applied to that small acreage this year.
Weed harvesters began working in early April, and have since harvested more than 1,600 loads, Gardner said. Dredging also is taking place at the lake, including Turkeyfoot being identified as a top priority this year.
Ohio Department of Transportation District 7 Representative Tim Little highlighted summer projects in the region, including paving planned for U.S. Route 68 and State Route 117, along with State Route 368 and State Route 366, all to finish up before the July 4 holiday.
In addition, fencing damaged by the tornado will be repaired along U.S. Route 33 beginning Monday, June 24.
The state also is still examining the U.S. 33 and State Route 274 intersection for the potential construction of a roundabout. The intersection is listed on the governor’s Top 100 traffic safety risks, Little said.
Washington Township Police Department Chief Michael Thompson and Russells Point Police Department Chief Joe Freyhof also spoke about the the tornado recovery and praised the work between their departments and the Logan County Sheriff’s Office in the critical days after the disaster.
“We all got along well in the recovery and pulled our resources together,” Chief Thompson said.
“The working relationship between our police departments and the sheriff’s office was absolutely incredible,” Chief Freyhof said. “You never know what it’s going to be like until a critical incident actually hits.”
Chief Freyhof encouraged the public to adopt that same attitude in the days and weeks ahead that initially followed the storm, noting some of the difficulties that have become present in social media and the spread of misinformation.
“For the officers working in our department, we’re fatigued after these last couple of months. I’d like the public to know we’re finding a lot of compassion for folks in difficult circumstances while still having to find the balance of carrying out the laws in place.”