STORM DAMAGE County seeks federal assistance

Nearly 150 properties have been reported damaged so far in Mahoning County.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County officials now will wait to hear whether federal assistance is available for residents whose homes and property were damaged by recent storms.
County commissioners passed a resolution Thursday declaring an emergency and seeking money from the government.
The declaration will be forwarded to Gov. Bob Taft for review and then sent to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's emergency management division, said Walter Duzzny, director of the county emergency management agency.
Duzzny said the county is asking that the federal EMA send representatives to the county to assess local storm damage.
Damage areas
Mahoning was one of several counties battered by high winds and flooding from severe storms that hit the area beginning May 21. While damage has been reported from all parts of the county, Duzzny said the southeast quadrant appears to have been hardest hit.
"It seems like some of those creeks and streams in that area just blew up out of their banks," Duzzny said, noting that most of the county's reported damage was due more to flooding than high winds.
He said some 145 properties have been reported with significant damage so far, with total loss "very, very conservatively" estimated at $150,000.
Duzzny said residents who sustained damage but have not reported it should do so by calling Help Hotline at (330)747-2696.
If federal authorities come to the area, they will establish a toll-free telephone number that storm victims can call to file a claim for assistance. Duzzny said a representative generally arrives at the property within 72 hours of the call.
bjackson@vindy.com