LOGAN COUNTY, Ohio — Three weeks after an EF3 tornado hit the Indian Lake community, the United Way of Logan County has collected $1.1 million in donations for victims of the tornado.
On Thursday, the United Way started taking applications for residents who need financial support. Appointments can be made by visiting uwlogan.org or by calling the office at 937-592-2886.
Dave Bezusko, the executive director of United Way of Logan County, said they are looking forward to helping people with financial support.
“One hundred percent of the dollars donated to the Indian Lake tornado relief fund will go back to the tornado relief victims. Any Logan County resident impacted by the storm from March 14 can apply for financial assistance,” said Bezusko.
Bezusko said he knows that immediate support is so important to people right now.
“Even people who have insurance, it takes a long time for the process of rebuilding to happen and there are expenses and needs people need now,” he said.
He hopes the support will get people started on rebuilding or fixing their homes.
“The hope is that this will provide a bridge to something bigger and better when more state aid comes to our help and rescue,” said Bezusko.
FEMA visited and assessed the damage in Indian Lake on March 26. The assistance is currently under review.
“It’s in the process, that the request for major disaster declaration goes through steps and ultimately goes to the president’s office at the White House so it’s in that process,” said Sima Merick, executive director of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.
Right now, there is no timeline on when or if the federal government will provide financial aid to Indian Lake victims.
The Indian Lake community is still cleaning up for the tornado that devastated the area. Resident Roger Wells said he currently has temporary solutions to his damaged home.
“I ended up with hail damage, broke some widows out, crushed the dog kennel into the side of the house,” said Wells, a Russells Point resident.
Wells said he considers himself lucky from the storm. But he still left with a lot of bills to repair his house. Now that a lot of the physical volunteers have left, he is wondering when residents could see that financial aid.
“People want to rebuild and get their property back as it was before the storm. I just feel like people are dragging their feet right now and we need that help,” said Wells.