Ohio Gov. DeWine issues proclamation for further storm assistance

OHIO (WJW) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a proclamation to direct state agencies to be ready to offer further assistance to communities affected by the recent extreme weather.

According to the proclamation, DeWine ordered and authorized “all state departments and agencies to be at the ready and to utilize their personnel and resources as necessary to protect the lives, safety, health, and property of the citizens of Ohio and to assist with recovery efforts in communities impacted by this severe weather event if needed and requested by local authorities.”

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The Ohio Emergency Management Agency has been closely monitoring the damaging storms since they originally developed on Tuesday, according to a press release. Four tornadoes have been confirmed to have touched down in NE Ohio.

Hundreds of thousands of people were still without power Friday.

“Ohio EMA has been coordinating state agency response and in the central clearinghouse for local requests for state assistance,” the release said.

According to the release, medical supplies have been requested from the Ohio Department of Health. Other agencies including the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio have also been “monitoring developments and overseeing SNAP benefits and electric utilities,” according to the release.

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The Ohio EMA will continue to monitor and provide storm assistance, according to the release.

“Such monitoring will continue as long as is necessary,” the proclamation said.

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