UPDATED: 6:01 PM Friday May 17
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UNITED WAY ASSISTANCE FOR TORNADO VICTIMS
Logan County households impacted by the March 14 tornado that ripped through the Indian Lake region are invited to apply for financial assistance through United Way's Indian Lake Tornado Relief Fund. THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS FRIDAY MAY 31. Victims can schedule by clicking below or by calling (937) 592-2886.
CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT
Appointments held at the old Laker Tire building located at 431 Madison Ave. in Russells Point (behind Marathon). Appointments are available:
Tuesday May 21 from 9AM to Noon
Wednesday May 22 from 2PM to 6PM
Thursday May 23 from 9AM to 1PM
Tuesday May 28 from 10 AM to 2PM
Wednesday May 29 from 2PM to 6PM
Thursday May 30 from 9AM to 1PM
Financial assistance up to $3,000 per household is available for needs including:
- Housing expenses, including rent, mortgage, security deposit, hotel expenses
- Home repair, including insurance deductible
- Auto expenses, including car repair, car payment, down payment, insurance deductible
- Prescription Medication
- Utilities
- Student hardship fees
- Pet care
- Other living expenses as deemed appropriate during in-take
The financial assistance comes from donations made to United Way's Indian Lake Tornado Relief Fund. 100 percent of all money donated to the Relief Fund will be used to support immediate and long-term recovery efforts, with an emphasis to be placed on identifying and fulfilling unmet needs.
Victims began meeting with United Way's team of case workers on Wednesday April 10. Through Thursday May 16:
• $1,182,868.49 has been distributed to help 452 households (1,012 tornado victims).
• Approximately 40 cases are still in process, awaiting decisions or verifications from applicants.
Here is the breakdown in how tornado victims are choosing to use their United Way help:
• 229 home insurance deductibles - $332,294.86
• 160 home repairs - $287,617.56
• 104 rents for new or existing housing - $153,750.71
• 62 auto insurance deductibles - $68,685.05
• 61 mortgage payments - $59,641.40
• 56 utility bills - $19,298.77
• 47 car repairs - $52,094.91
• 40 security deposits for new housing - $62,618.33
• 39 car payments - $34,042.15
• 34 down payments on a new car - $68,685.05
• 24 hotel stays - $15,949.59
• 9 student hardship fees - $1,117.46
• 8 pet cares - $1,400.37
• 5 prescription medications - $821.40
• 75 "other" expenses, such as storage, generators, food, furniture, appliances, etc. - $47,678.76
FEMA ASSISTANCE
On Thursday May 2, FEMA declared a federal disaster for 11 Ohio counties struck by the March 14 storms, including Logan County and the Indian Lake area. FEMA is offering a wide variety of help to people affected by the March 14 tornadoes. Homeowners and renters who suffered damage are encouraged to apply. The local FEMA office has been set up at Galilee Lutheran Church in Russells Point – 301 Lincoln Blvd. – Open 7:30 to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
FEMA can provide money to eligible applicants for help with serious needs, paying for a temporary place to live, home repairs and other needs not covered by insurance. Money provided by FEMA does not have to be repaid and may include:
Serious Needs: Money for lifesaving and life-sustaining items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation.
Displacement: Money to help with housing needs if you cannot return to your home because of the disaster. The money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or other options while you look for a rental unit.
Home Repair or Replacement: Money to help you repair or replace your home damaged by the disaster. The money can also help with pre-existing damage to parts of your home where the disaster caused further damage.
Rental Assistance: Money you can use to rent housing if you are displaced from your home because of the disaster.
Personal Property: Money to help you repair or replace appliances, room furnishings, and a personal or family computer damaged by the disaster. This can also include money for books, uniforms, tools, additional computers and other items required for school or work, including self-employment.
Child Care: Money to help you pay for increased or child care expenses caused by the disaster.
Transportation: Money to help you repair or replace a vehicle damaged by the disaster when you don’t have another vehicle you can use.
Moving and Storage Expenses: Money to help you move and store personal property from your home to prevent additional damage.
Apply to FEMA:
If you have insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.
To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, you can go online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App for mobile devices, or call toll-free 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. Or stop in the FEMA office at Galilee Lutheran Church in Russells Point – 301 Lincoln Blvd. – Open 7:30 to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is July 2, 2024.
SBA LOANS - FOR HOMEOWNERS, RENTERS, AND SMALL BUSINESSES
Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property. The local SBA office has been set up at: Indian Lake Community Church - 120 Orchard Island Road (behind Gathering Grounds Coffee Shop) in Russells Point. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9AM to 6PM and Saturday from 10AM to 2PM.
- Interest rates are as low as 2.688% for homeowners and renters, with terms of up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and monthly payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition
- Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
- The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is July 1, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 3, 2025.
OHIO HOUSING DISASTER RELIEF
Through a grant from the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), Ohio REALTORS along with the local boards received $350,000 in financial relief to distribute to qualified residents whose home was damaged during the storms. THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS FRIDAY MAY 31.
Qualified applicants can receive up to $1,250 in assistance for:
1) Monthly mortgage expense for the residence that was damaged by the 3/14/24 tornado disaster or;
2) Rental cost due to displacement from the primary residence resulting from the 3/14/24 tornado disaster or;
3) Hotel expenses due to displacement from the primary residence resulting from the 3/14/24 tornado disaster.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY.
REPORT YOUR DAMAGE
Logan County EMA is asking individuals and families that were impacted by the March 14th Tornado to report their damage and provide contact information and pictures if you have them. This information will be shared with FEMA as they assess our impacts to determine if we qualify for a federal disaster declaration. Locally, we will also use this information to connect you with our Long Term Recovery Committee for assistance with unmet needs.
Call the Recovery Call Center at 937-292-4041 Sunday March 24 from Noon to 5pm, or Monday through Wednesday (March 25-27) between 10AM and 7PM. You may also click the form below to report your damage. Photos help show the devastation as FEMA comes in.
CLICK HERE TO REPORT YOUR DAMAGE!
*********NEED FOOD? CLOTHES? OTHER ITEMS?**********
Additional stations for food, clothes, personal needs items, baby supplies, and more are available in the following locations.
Indian Lake Central Distribution Center
431 Madison Avenue
Open 9AM to 5PM Monday through Saturday
Toiletries, water, food, personal needs items, etc.
FREE STORAGE FOR TORNADO VICTIMS
TriLink Storage in Bellefontaine is offering two months of free storage to any tornado victim to secure your belongings. Call (937) 441-1532 to reserve your space.
Transportation
Tornado victims in need of a free ride to work, store, anywhere in Logan County can contact RTC Services at 937-539-3351.