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Tornado Response Report
From: Bob Davis and Douglas Dowson
To: West Ohio Disaster Response Team Members
Sunday, November 10, 2002 12:47 PM
We have reports, confirmed and unconfirmed, of tornado touch-downs in Union, Marion and Van Wert Counties within the West Ohio Conference and reports of damage in western and northwestern Ohio.
The standard operation of our communications will be, I will gather all responses and email them to all of you to confirm their current authenticity and assure that no emails are missing from you. This will also keep the whole team in touch with progressing conditions at any disaster site.
Monday, November 11, 2002 9:23 AM
Defiance, Ohio
Reported that there were up to four tornadoes that touched down in the Van Wert area. 2 people killed. Business Park hit with much damage to businesses. 4-5 houses damaged.
Monday, November 11, 2002 12:47 PM
The following information is the latest we have:
2 people killed in Van Wert
2 people killed and their daughter seriously injured in Oakwood. (Home destroyed)
At least 17 people injured in Van Wert.
Numerous homes destroyed or damaged.
Several factories destroyed (estimate of 300 people without jobs)
Request for clean up help, as there is debris all over the Oakwood Continental areas.
Farmer’s outbuildings destroyed or damaged.
Monday, November 11, 2002 7:07 PM
Westerville
Here in Westerville we had some minor damage as far as I was hearing. Lots of sirens through out the evening but I witnessed very little damage, mostly small limbs etc.
Tuesday, November 12, 2002
Bob Davis and I will be meeting here at Calvary in Circleville at the parsonage. Friday morning to complete the report and assessment and put it in the hands of Bishop Ough.
We are now aware of damage in Union County, Putnam County, Van Wert city, and in the Findlay District. We will be seeking more information in these areas.
Wednesday, November 13, 2002 8:45 AM
RE: Tornado Damage
The Defiance District Staff received word that work crews are being organized at 11:45 a.m. today for Van Wert clean up. The organization will take place at the State Garage on Van Wert-Decatur Road off of St Rte 224. If you can help, please wear work boots, jeans, and gloves. (These work crews are being organized slowly due to the many downed power lines.)
Items still needed include generators, flashlights and batteries, and bottled water.
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
Reported response and assessment at the November OVOAD meeting
17 Counties were impacted by this wild weather:
696 families in homes and apartments were impacted
120 homes were destroyed
150 homes had major damage
380 homes had minor damage
22 apartments were destroyed
6 had major damage
8 had minor damaged
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Homes
|
Apartments
|
|
County
|
Destroyed
|
Major Damage
|
Minor Damage
|
Destroyed |
Major Damage
|
Minor Damage
|
| Ashland |
5 |
11 |
39 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Cuyahoga |
0 |
7 |
48 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Fostoria |
8 |
12 |
34 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
| Franklin |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Henry |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Lorain |
0 |
10 |
19 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Medina |
0 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Ottawa |
29 |
30 |
117 |
16 |
4 |
1 |
| Paulding |
23 |
5 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Putnam |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Sandusky |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Seneca |
10 |
15 |
10 |
4 |
1 |
7 |
| Summit |
6 |
26 |
69 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Union |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Van Wert |
28 |
25 |
27 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
| Wayne |
3 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Wood |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
This is the initial assessment. Long term recovery teams are being formed and contacts will be made with United Church of Christ, United Methodist Committee On Relief, Lutheran Services and Church World Services.
November 14, 2002
Disaster Response - Lima District
An Interfaith Meeting will be convened by Ellis Wykstra, Church World Service Coordinator, in Van Wert on November 22 calling Lutheran Services, UCC Disaster Teams, and West Ohio Disaster Response Team members and key leaders from the counties involved in the disaster response.
Because of the tremendous need for debris removal, all volunteers in Ohio as of 8:00 A.M., Thursday are asked to come to these County EMA offices.
Report to:
Mr. Randy Shaffer, Director Paulding County EMA
(419) 399-3500
[email protected]
Mr. Steven Odenweller, Director Putnam County EMA
(419) 538-7315
[email protected]
All County EMA Directors' offices are listed at this webpage:
http://www.state.oh.us/odps/division/ema/County.htm
Nov. 14, 2002
Rev. Gregory A. Leigh, pastor of Convoy United Methodist Church, heard about a fatality on a hand-cranked radio at the church. "The chaplain from Van Wert County Hospital called two minutes later and told me it was one of my church members."
Convoy United Methodist Church is a designated Red Cross center.
The Rev. James D. Howell, pastor of Bethel Van Wert United Methodist Church, said two families in his congregation have lost their homes. Elsewhere in the community, a movie theater manager saved dozens of people by herding them into hallways and restrooms minutes before three cars blew into the theater and the roof collapsed.
In East Ohio, the Homerville United Methodist Church was severely damaged. The right side of the roof has no shingles, and the sanctuary suffered water damage.
People who want to aid in the disaster recovery may make contributions to UMCOR's Domestic Disaster Response Advance No. 901670-1, specifying "November Storms 2002" on the memo line. Donors may also specify a specific state or conference if they wish. Gifts may be made through local United Methodist churches or by calling (800) 554-8583. Credit-card donations are accepted. Administrative costs are covered by other church funds, so 100 percent of the contributions will go to the program named by the donor.
Friday, November 15, 2002 9:46 AM
From: Rev. William Sherry, pastor of Emmaus Circuit of Paulding County
The cleanup effort is progressing well in the area around Middle Creek UMC and the Roselms area. Debris has been cleared around the Ronnie Jewell home and plans are being made to purchase a trailer for temporary housing.
The Middle Creek UMC served about 250 people lunch and supper yesterday, November 13, including workers, National Guard, law enforcement, people with out homes, and people without power. Lunch boxes were taken to some work sites.
Items of interest:
Grover Hill Zion UMC has opened the Grover Hill Area Ministerial Food Pantry that is housed in their church for area residents that need food or supplies. The Grover Hill Zion UMC is also providing tarps, blankets and other supplies to area residents.
A Home Depot truck and representatives delivered portable generators in Roselms yesterday evening.
The remains of the Miller house are scheduled to be torn down today.
The Knotts trailer and debris is cleared
Roselms was about 80% cleared when I was there last night.
Most of the sites I visited yesterday were well on their way to being cleared.
The debris from the Dunning home was removed yesterday and the Dunning family has been given temporary housing at the Super 8 Motel in Defiance. Defiance St. Pauls also provided phone cards for the Dunning family to use while being temporarily housed in Defiance.
Thursday, November 14, 2002 11:53 AM
Subject: Report from Grover Hill and Roselms area
In the village of Roselms most of the area including the church was leveled. One 2-story house had been flattened with the family trapped inside. Luckily all 5 were successfully rescued but not without serious injuries - Mom had 3 fractures in her skull and every bone in her face broken when a wall had collapsed on her, their oldest son had 87 stitches while their 2nd son had a broken arm, Dad had 37 stitches and their young daughter was fine because her brother had covered her with his body. The family was bruised and battered but all had miraculously survived.
On Monday morning the extent of the destruction became much clearer. Not only were homes lost but so were many jobs as an entire industrial park was basically destroyed.
Middle Creek UMC announced that they were providing supper - hot food and drinks, running water and heat. Within hours, 139 people were fed a hot meal and everyone was told to come back on Tuesday for both lunch and supper. Some stores donated hot dogs, chicken and buns. Other local churches brought food and workers. When Tuesday noon came, over 100 people arrived and by the end of the day over 250 people had been fed. National guardsmen, law enforcement, electrical lineman, workers who were clearing rubble, people without power, and those whose homes were damaged all met in a small fellowship hall, were fed and invited to return the next day.
Over 200 people arrived for lunch and an urgent plea went out for more food. By the close of the day, over 500 people had been fed and the decision was made to cook again for Thursday.
Insurance adjusters have arrived; power is slowly being restored.
Current Needs List
Generators, flashlights and batteries, and bottled water
Monetary donations for Van Wert victims - Checks may be made out to the Conley Fund (mark memo Tornado Fund) and send to Rev. Jim Howell (UMC pastor at Van Wert Bethel/North Union)
1148 Rosalie Dr., Van Wert, OH 45891.
The Circle of Friends Cooperative Parish in Continental has set up a saving account for donations to help Continental area families who suffered loss from the tornadoes. Donations can be sent to:
Sky Bank,
PO Box 385, Continental, OH 45831
and/or
Circle of Friends Cooperative Parish
PO Box 115, Continental, OH 45831
Donations for Paulding County Victims may be made at any Sky Bank or may be mailed to:
Sky Bank
120 N. Cherry St., Paulding, OH 45879.
Please make check out to Paulding County United Way Disaster Relief Fund and put on memo Tornado 11/10/02
United Way of Van Wert (419-238-6689) is collecting good, clean furniture.
Salvation Army of Van Wert is collecting good, clean clothes.
Grover Hill Zion UMC (Paulding County) collecting non-perishable food items.
Volunteering
Call Paulding County United Way (419-399-5300) if you would care to volunteer for clean up.
Van Wert clean up organized daily at State Garage on 10238 Van Wert-Decatur Rd off of St. Rte. 224 in Van Wert. Call United way (419-238-6689) for more information and schedule.
County EMA offices are organizing work crews: Address for the Paulding County Office is:
Mr. Randy Shaffer, Director: Paulding County EMA
14043 CR 111, Paulding, OH 45879
Phone 419-399-3500 or e-mail [email protected]
Van Wert County Red Cross (419-238-9977) 208 Main St., Van Wert.
Red Cross of Paulding County (399-3557).
Seneca County info: 419.447.0266 Daniel Stahl, Director: Seneca County EMA
Damage Estimates from Van Wert as of 11/12/02:
48 homes destroyed
23 homes sustained major damage
17 homes sustained minor damage
2 mobile homes destroyed
Unknown number of barns and out buildings
4 factories completely destroyed
2 factories partially destroyed
300 people out of work
Damage Estimates from Paulding County
11 homes destroyed
Just talked to Mary Woodward (Lutheran Disaster Response) and she tells me that Seneca County has asked for volunteers to assist in debris removal.
Also, the first meeting of the Long Term Recovery Committee, chaired by Ellis Wykstra - Church World Service liaison, will be next Friday, November 22, at 1:00 p.m. in the Presbyterian Church in Van Wert. Agency leaders should plan to be present.
There will be a meeting of another Long Term Recovery Committee in Port Clinton, Wednesday, November 27 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church.
Tuesday, November 19, 2002 11:19 AM
From: Mary Woodward
The next step for the declared counties: any family requesting assistance in the 6 declared counties should call FEMA (1-800-621-3362) to register for assistance. Contiguous counties will not receive federal assistance.
Friday, November22, 2002 6:17 P.M.
Tornado Disaster Victim Assessment
The count, according to Suzy Davidson, Ohio Readiness Associate, Red Cross, has now risen to 795 families.
Seventeen counties were impacted: Ashland, Cuyahoga, Fostoria, Franklin, Henry, Lorain, Medina, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Summit, Union, Van Wert, Wayne, Wood.
The Governor's Disaster Declaration included the counties of Paulding,
Putnam, Seneca, and Van Wert.
On 11/18/2002, 5:18 P.M. the President signed a Major Disaster Declaration for FEMA to engage Ohio's 5 northern counties most affected for a Declaration for Individual Assistance for Ottawa, Paulding, Van Wert, Putnam, Seneca and Hancock Counties.
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