COLUMBUS – While residents continue to pick up debris and rebuild their homes and businesses in the area near Indian Lake where a deadly tornado struck last week, the American Red Cross is expanding its efforts to help them on the long road to recovery.
The Central and Southern Ohio Region of the Red Cross has opened an emergency shelter at the Galilee Lutheran Church, 301 Lincoln Boulevard in Russells Point, has started mobile feeding operations in the area and opened a fixed site where meals are prepared and distributed, the organization announced Wednesday.
The Russells Point shelter is available to anyone who needs an overnight stay, a place to take a break, get a meal or a snack, or get access to electricity. Pets are also welcome
The shelter previously operated by the Red Cross in Bellefontaine is now being managed by the Bellefontaine First Church of God.
Additionally, large Emergency Response Vehicles emblazoned with the Red Cross logo are being employed to operate mobile meal services in the area in partnership with the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. Members of the Southern Baptist Ministry prepare food in a field kitchen and the meals are delivered by Red Cross volunteers.
There is also a fixed site where residents can receive meals in the parking lot of the Osgood Bank, 165 E. Lake Street in Lakeview.
Residents impacted by these tornadoes do not need to be staying at a shelter to
receive Red Cross services. Anyone who needs assistance can call 1-800-RedCross.
State of emergency
Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday that the state has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct a damage assessment on impacted homeowners, renters and businesses for the 11 Ohio counties, including Delaware, Licking and Union counties in central Ohio, declared under a state of emergency on March 17.
Six FEMA damage assessment teams will inspecting damage in all 11 counties on March 26 to identify the type and extent of damages to homes and businesses and assess whether or not federal resources are needed to supplement local and state resources, DeWine’s office said.
Gov. Mike DeWine activated the Ohio National Guard to help officials in Logan County with recovery efforts
The National Weather Service confirmed nine tornados in Ohio, including the EF 3 tornado, packing 155 mph winds, that began in southern Auglaize County near Fryburg and continued through the Lakeview area.
How to Help
Financial donations are the quickest and best way to support people impacted by disasters, Red Cross officials say.
Monetary donations can be made by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-REDCROSS or text the
word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Volunteers are welcome
The Red Cross has received over 140 volunteer applications in central and southern Ohio since March 15.
Anyone interested in volunteering with recovery efforts can review the most urgently needed volunteer positions at the Red Cross website and start the process of becoming a volunteer.