County still affected by storm aftermath

Van Wert independent/EMA information

Although Van Wert County is slowly getting back to normal, thousands of residents remained without power on Monday.

AEP crews and contract workers have been repairing the damage caused by a devastating storm that savaged the area on Friday. AEP said more than 600,000 Ohio customers were affected, and added that service may not be restored in some areas for yet another 3-5 days.

Widespread power outages continue in large portions of Van Wert County. According to the AEP website, outages have affected over 600,000 customers in Ohio and service has been restored to nearly a third of those. In some areas service will remain off for another 3-5 days.

In Van Wert County, 50 percent of AEP customers have been restored. Midwest Electric has yet to restore service to 96 customers, while DP&L is reporting no outages in Van Wert County. Paulding-Putnam Electric Cooperative has 1,100 customers without power in the county.

Service may be restored to Venedocia today, as well as half of Middle Point. Convoy and Ohio City may receive partial service late today. Restoration in rural areas may still be as far away as Friday or Saturday.

Kennedy Manufacturing will resume production at 4 a.m. Tuesday with normal shifts, while the Van Wert County Council on Aging will have Bingo this evening, as scheduled. However, the Up to the Challenge softball scheduled for Tuesday evening wasn’t up to a weather challenge and has been canceled.

County residents who need large quantities of water can come to the Van Wert water treatment plant on U.S. 127 south of town with their own bulk tanks and purchase water for $6 per 1,000 gallons. Hours of operation are 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The Van Wert Job and Family Services Department noted that any of their clients who received food assistance in June are eligible to apply for spoiled food reimbursement through an application process. Applications may be picked up at the JFS office on East Main Street.

Meanwhile, the Van Wert County Chapter of the American Red Cross is continuing to maintain a shelter at Van Wert Middle School on Ohio 118 south of town. Those who need assistance should arrive at the shelter with their own medication, clothes, pillow and blanket.

Showers will be available and residents should bring their own soap, towels and other hygiene items. Pets will not be permitted at the shelter.

Those who have no way to get to the shelter can call the Van Wert County Emergency Management Agency at 419.238.1300 for assistance. People who need small quantities of water can obtain those at the shelter. Residents should provide their own containers and will receive no more than 25 gallons.

Local law enforcement agencies are encouraging residents to stay put and travel only when necessary. Local residents should not attempt to move utility lines and should place debris at the curb and not in the street.

The Van Wert County Health Department has also been making contract with subscribers to its Internet service called “Saving Minutes.” This service is a web-based list of people in the area that have health risks, that is to be used in the case of a widespread emergency situation. Those who think they may qualify should enroll at www.vanwertcountyhealth.org.