by Tyler Arnold
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency in three counties in the western half of the state after a swarm of tornadoes killed at least one person and injured at least 130 others late Sunday in Ohio and Indiana.
The deceased has been identified as 81-year-old Melvin Dale Hannah of Celina, Ohio. He was killed when tornado winds blew a parked car into his home.
The state of emergency declaration allows “agencies to provide resources and support beyond their normal authority, under the direction of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA),” according to a news release. It also allows the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to suspend normal purchasing requirements to allow necessary spending for recovery efforts and resources, such as water or generators.
The three Ohio counties included in the state of emergency are Greene, Mercer and Montgomery. The City of Dayton in Montgomery County sustained heavy damage.
Dan Tierney, a spokesman for DeWine’s office, told The Center Square that the cost estimate for the damage will come in about a week or so, and that it is far too early to estimate. Although reports are still coming in, dozens of buildings have been destroyed and millions of people lost power. Some regions also had a boil advisory for drinking water.
Tierney said that DeWine will work with the EMA and other state agencies to ensure that resources get to Ohioans who have been harmed by the damage. He said the governor’s office will be providing updates as more information becomes available.
DeWine toured the region today with his wife Fran and visited people who were affected by the damages. After touring Celina in Mercer County, DeWine tweeted that it is “hard to describe the damage.” After touring Montgomery County, he tweeted that “Ohioans are resilient and helping each other out after these awful storms.”
Toured hard-hit Montgomery County with @FranDeWine and .Ohio Lt. Governor .@LtGovHusted. Ohioans are resilient and helping each other out after these awful storms. pic.twitter.com/2xuSmArkxp
— Mike DeWine (@MikeDeWine) May 28, 2019
In a tweet, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley asked residents to conserve water and check on their neighbors. She also tweeted some photos of the damage.
Troy Avenue and Kelly pic.twitter.com/5rxBgn1lvn
— Nan Whaley (@nanwhaley) May 28, 2019
Foxton Court off of Shoup Mill Road pic.twitter.com/JYaPecYf9E
— Nan Whaley (@nanwhaley) May 28, 2019
President Donald J. Trump tweeted that he will support DeWine and the people of Ohio during the recovery process.
.@GovMikeDeWine just updated me on the devastation from the many tornadoes that struck Ohio early this morning. My Administration fully supports the people of the great State of Ohio as they begin the cleanup and recovery.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 28, 2019
Last night’s havoc was part of a series of tornadoes and other severe weather over the past couple of weeks. This includes Oklahoma, Missouri and Colorado.
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Tyler Arnold reports on Virginia, Ohio and Michigan for The Center Square. He previously worked for the Cause of Action Institute and has been published in Business Insider, USA TODAY College, National Review Online and the Washington Free Beacon.
Photo “Ohio Tornado Damage” by Nan Whaley.
