County slowly returning to normal

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Electric utility workers are slowing bringing the area back on line after what could be Van Wert County’s most devastating storm ever, but thousands remain without power — both in the county and the surrounding area.

AEP said only about 4,500 customers remain without power in the county, from a high of 12,538 who lost electricity during the June 29 storm that eventually knocked out power to 3 million people in Ohio, neighboring states and the Eastern Seaboard.

However, some of those without power may not have electricity restored for some time. County Emergency Management Director Rick McCoy said residents of the village of Scott may not see power restored until possibly as late as July 21 — more than three weeks after the storm hit.

Utility workers are dealing with damage to main transmission lines and a large number of poles, as well as a plethora of downed power lines.

“The damage was very extensive and those who have power should be thankful they do,” McCoy said, adding that those with power should check on their neighbors and relatives who don’t have power to see if they need anything.

McCoy also urged those without power to use the shelter set up at Van Wert Middle School by the Van Wert County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

“People can just go out for a meal, or a shower, something to give them a break from the heat,” he said, adding that people don’t have to stay at the shelter for any given time, if they don’t want, and don’t have to sleep there. Some people have just been stopping at the shelter to charge cell phones and other high-tech devices.

“It’s up to local citizens, but they’re (the Red Cross) providing good meals and an air-conditioned place to rest and relax,” McCoy added. Those who want to stay at the shelter overnight should bring clothes, pillows and blankets, while those wanting to use the shower facilities should bring soap, towels and personal hygiene items.

The Salvation Army will continue feeding programs for 5-7 days at the shelter. In addition, The Salvation Army has been asked by the county EMA to begin mobile hydration to outlying communities. Working with the EMA and American Red Cross, water and ice are being provided to the hardest-hit residents. In addition, mobile hydration is being provided to farm animals and the community of Scott.

Anyone needing transportation to the Red Cross shelter can call the EMA at 419.238.1300, while information about the shelter can be obtained by calling the Red Cross at 419.238.9977.

Convoy residents with household waste can bring that trash to Hall’s Lumber, where a dumpster has been set up for that purpose, Mayor Brad Guest said on Tuesday.

McCoy also said patience is needed with the current situation, noting that the massive amount of damage is creating its own stress for utility crews, as well as those without power.

The weather, which will remain hot — and increasingly humid — is also a factor in getting power back online, as well as making things more uncomfortable for those who continue to be without power. McCoy said weather would remain in the mid- to high 90s for several days, along with a possibility of another 100-degree day or two, starting today and over the weekend. The National Weather Service is calling for temperatures of 99 today and 100 on both Friday and Saturday. Temps are expected to cool down into the high 80s, though, on Sunday.

For those hit hardest by the June 29 storm, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is making disaster assistance available to low-income families, elderly individuals and those with disabilities in 45 counties.

Assistance is being made available in the following counties: Allen, Athens, Auglaize, Belmont, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clermont, Clinton, Coshocton, Fairfield, Franklin, Gallia, Greene, Guernsey, Hamilton, Hancock, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Logan, Meigs, Mercer, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Paulding, Perry, Pike, Preble, Putnam, Ross, Scioto, Shelby, Van Wert, Vinton, Warren, Washington and Wyandot.

Low-income families with children, including pregnant women, may be eligible for up to $1,500 in assistance per household. Elderly individuals and those with disabilities may be eligible for up to $750 in assistance per household. The assistance can be used for a range of necessary expenses and essential purchases.

Assistance is available to families, elderly individuals and those with disabilities who earn 200 percent of the federal poverty level or less, or about $46,000 for a family of four.

Those who believe they may be eligible should contact their county department of job and family services to apply for assistance. A directory of county agencies is available online at http://jfs.ohio.gov/County/County_Directory.pdf.

In addition, Van Wert County residents who had buildings damaged by the June 29 storm should call Jamie Bradford at the Van Wert County Auditor’s Office (419.238.0843) for a DTE Form 26 – Destroyed or Damaged Property Form.

The form is also online at www.ohiorevaluation.com/Forms. Click on the third item under the Forms link: “Reporting Destroyed/Damaged/Removed Property.” Print and fill out the form and return it to the County Auditor’s Office at 121 E. Main St. in Van Wert.

A county auditor’s appraisal staff member will come out to inspect the damage and the damage, depending on its severity, could help save property owners money on next year’s property taxes.

Meanwhile, three roadside parks, including two in Van Wert County, have been reopened to some degree after being closed due to power outages and downed trees caused by last weekend’s storms, said Chris Hardesty, business and human resources administrator with the Ohio Department of Transportation’s District 1.

The parks on Interstate 75 south of Findlay, and those on U.S. 30 near Cairo have been reopened; however, no drinking water is available at either location.

Both parks on U.S. 30 west of Van Wert now have temporary toilet facilities available but the buildings remain closed due to a continued power outage.

In addition, the southbound park on U.S. 23 on the north side of Upper Sandusky in Wyandot County is also now open. The northbound park will close on Monday, July 9, for approximately one month to allow for improvements.