LAKEVIEW, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine visited Indian Lake on Tuesday morning to give an update on the cleanup process following last month's deadly storms.
“Indian Lake is a very, very special place. It is a place loved by people, not only who live here, but people who come here in the summer. It is imperative that we do everything we can at the state level to be of assistance,” said Gov. DeWine.
DeWine said on Tuesday that the state is working to help individuals who lost their homes, those who have been displaced and businesses that can’t function.
“Our main goal is to find housing that is appropriate and that is safe for all the residents that have been displaced so far from this disaster," said Logan County Commissioner Joe Antram.
Officials estimate that 250 homes are needed for individuals who were displaced due to the storm.
Additionally, DeWine is working alongside Ohio legislators on a plan, which they hope to announce in the near future.
The full press conference can be watched below:
The press conference came after DeWine initiated "several federal and state disaster aid mechanisms" last Friday. Among DeWine's efforts was a request to President Joe Biden for a major disaster declaration, which could bring financial relief to Ohioans who were affected by the severe weather incidents.
“Last Friday, we asked for a Presidential FEMA declaration. We are told by FEMA that this decision could take a long, long time. We hope that is not true, but they are telling us it could take a long time," said DeWine.
Additionally, DeWine said that there is no guarantee that they will get the declaration from the White House, but they are pushing for it.
The following individuals spoke during the press conference, which took place at the Indian Lake State Park Campground in Lakeview:
- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
- Director Mary Mertz, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
- Director Sima Merick, Ohio Emergency Management Agency
- Elected officials representing the area
The update also took place on the same day that the state of Ohio is expecting more severe weather. 3News' Matt Wintz explains the hour-by-hour details below:
The tornadoes, which took place on March 14, hit Logan County the hardest, where the severe weather left three people dead and 25 others injured. The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF2 tornado hit near Orchard Island and also passed through Lakeview as an EF3. The resulting damage closed Indian Lake State Park for two weeks.