Governor declares a state of emergency

CELINA - Gov. Mike DeWine visited Celina Tuesday to assess the damage wrought by an EF3 tornado that swept through the northwestern part of the city and to let people know he's aware of their suffering.

He also said he'll look into the possibility of securing federal funding for the storm-ravaged area.

"We're going to do everything we can. I've already talked to Vice President (Mike) Pence today who called me. He said, 'Look, we're here to help,' " DeWine told reporters at an afternoon news conference on the lawn of Little Flower Learning Center on Touvelle Street, not far from the tornado's path of destruction. "We have to do initial assessments that are done locally."

Later in the day, DeWine declared a state of emergency in Mercer County as well as Greene and Montgomery counties, which also experienced serious damage during Monday night's severe weather.

The declaration allows state agencies to provide resources and support beyond their normal authority, under the direction of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, according to a news release.

Moreover, the Department of Administrative Services will suspend state purchasing requirements to support recovery efforts and obtain needed resources such as water and generators more quickly and efficiently, the release noted.

The state also helped coordinate efforts among the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Mercer County Sheriff's Office and local law enforcement.

"As people start putting their lives back together, then we're going to see what federal assistance might be available," the Republican governor said.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said in a news release that his office remains ready to help with recovery efforts and is working with local communities and state officials to see how it can assist in the rebuilding process.

"If Governor DeWine decides to seek a national emergency declaration, Senator Portman and I will be working with the President to get these communities the assistance and support they need as fast as possible," Brown said.

Celina was the first stop on DeWine's tour through storm-ravaged areas of the state. In Celina, he was accompanied by his wife, Fran; Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey; Celina Mayor Jeff Hazel; Ohio Auditor Keith Faber; state Sen. Matt Huffman, R-Lima; and state Rep. Susan Manchester, R-Waynesfield, among others.

The confirmed EF3 tornado packing 150-mph winds leveled homes, toppled power lines and picked up and spat out vehicles.

"We had the opportunity to fly over on a helicopter and take a look at the damage, and it's devastating when you see it from the air, and it's devastating when you actually go out and see the damage that's been done to homes," DeWine said.

But after talking with people who lost everything, DeWine said he was really able to understand what a tornado can do. He said he had talked with a couple who didn't have a basement, so they took cover in a bathtub - doing exactly the right thing.

"The husband jumped on top of the family, and it really saved their lives," he said.

Then he spoke to a wife who had persuaded her husband to take shelter in the basement, DeWine pointed out. Seconds later, the couple's home was basically gone, he said.

"I wanted to come here today just to express to people our sympathy," DeWine said. "We can't pretend to understand what they've been through, but we wanted to let them know that we care very, very much."

Secondly, he wanted to speak with Hazel and Grey.

"Cleanup efforts are certainly ongoing right now. It's amazing to see what this community does. When things get their worst, that's when the best comes out in them," Hazel said, adding he was pleased that DeWine had come to see the damage firsthand.

Hazel said 40 homes had either been destroyed or damaged in Celina.

"The kids that are out there helping to pick up and clean up, we're seeing tremendous strides," Hazel continued. "The city is currently out there hauling away the debris in the streets. We're trying to help them in every way that we can as well."

Grey said about 15 homes outside Celina were damaged during the storm.

"Not near the devastation that we have in Celina," he said. "This is a great community. It will recover. What the community gets to see now is everybody coming together in the community."

Grey said he was so proud to see local agencies including local fire departments and emergency medical services, local law enforcement, highway patrol and sheriff's office, pulling together to get people the help they needed.

DeWine extolled the resiliency of the community, pointing to the multitudes that could be seen at every house that had been hit by the storm.

"And it's not just the family, but they've got a whole bunch of neighbors, a whole bunch of friends who have come in and sometimes total strangers who have come in, and they're already hauling the (damaged) stuff out to the street," DeWine said.

The community is coming together in a time of great tragedy, DeWine continued, adding that Mercer County has always been a county of families and people helping people.

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