UPDATED: 3:01 PM Thursday June 27
UNITED WAY ASSISTANCE FOR TORNADO VICTIMS IS NOW COMPLETE.
Thanks to the generosity of donors from around the country who gave to United Way's Indian Lake Tornado Relief Fund, we were able to provide $1,441,378.98 in direct support to 548 affected households (1,231 individuals) of the March 14 storm.
Affected families met with United Way's team of case workers through the Friday May 31 deadline. Here is the breakdown in how tornado victims are chose to use their United Way help:
- 277 home insurance deductibles - $390,765.72
- 204 home repairs - $368,944.82
- 137 rents for new or existing housing - $195,762.22
- 89 utility bills - $32,688.21
- 76 mortgage payments - $82,878.14
- 68 auto insurance deductibles - $48,600.17
- 52 car repairs - $53,924.77
- 43 security deposits for new housing - $65,716.42
- 43 car payments - $38,547.72
- 35 down payments on a new car - $71,685.05
- 29 hotel stays - $17,537.21
- 9 student hardship fees - $1,117.46
- 9 pet cares - $2,520.71
- 7 prescription medications - $1,314.43
- 100 "other" expenses, such as storage, generators, food, furniture, appliances, etc. - $69,375.93
United Way is no longer providing day-to-day direct help on-site at the Lake. Remaining funds are being turned over to the Logan County EMA's Long-Term Recovery Team, which is working to identify and fulfill unmet needs after insurance, government, and charitable support. Those still in need of support, please see below on how to get help with tornado-related issues.
FEMA ASSISTANCE - APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JULY 1
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. Homeowners and renters who suffered damage are encouraged to apply. 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.
The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is July 1, 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.
- 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.
LOGAN COUNTY EMA - LONG-TERM RECOVERY
The Logan County EMA and the Long-Term Recovery Committee is working directly with affected households who still need help AFTER insurance, FEMA, and other support has been provided. Help is coordinated on a case-by-case basis. Please call (937) 450-0404 if you are in need of further tornado assistance.