Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued a disaster declaration for about a dozen counties on Sunday and activated the National Guard to help Logan County officials after tornadoes killed three people there late last week.
The declaration also applied to Auglaize, Crawford, Darke, Delaware, Hancock, Licking, Mercer, Miami, Richland and Union counties. The three Logan County deaths occurred in a trailer park near Indian Lake, about 70 miles northwest of Columbus.
“Fran and I are deeply saddened by those impacted by the tornadoes and severe storms,” DeWine said in a statement. “We share the grief of the families who lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. Ohioans will come together as they always do with resilience and compassion as we support and rebuild our communities.”
AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine speaks during a news conference on Dec. 29 in Columbus. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Nine tornadoes were confirmed by the National Weather Service in Ohio, among them an “EF-3” that can bring winds of 136 to 165 mph.
The emergency declaration tasks state agencies and departments with making sure their services, equipment, supplies and personnel are assisting in response and recovery.
DeWine’s office said a team from the 200th Redhorse Squadron had been sent to Logan County to assess assistance and support needs.
AP Photo/Patrick Orsagos
A woman searches through clothing at Indian Lake High School on Saturday in Indian Lake, in Logan County, Ohio. The high school has become a donation center after a tornado swept through the Indian Lake area Thursday. (AP Photo/Patrick Orsagos)
“It’s one hell of a mess up there,” Logan County Sheriff Randy Dodds told The Columbus Dispatch of the Indian Lake area. “It looks like a war zone.”
He added that the death count could rise as rescuers sift through debris that had once been homes.
Residents recounted storms that flew through almost faster than it could register on their psyches, as they had moments to dive into bathtubs and hunker down in basements.
Tornadoes also touched down on Thursday in Illinois, Missouri and Indiana, as well as Arkansas and Kentucky.
With News Wire Services
