FLOOD AFTERMATH Starting a deluge of assistance

Reports so far indicate 18 homes were destroyed.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Pam Dray and Marie Cox, employees in Columbiana County's economic development office, went to Columbus to brush up on their knowledge on the state's mitigation program.
Under the program, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources can buy properties prone to flooding.
Dray and Cox went because of all the flooding in the county in the past year. They returned Friday.
"It started raining," Dray said.
County commissioners will present information on the mitigation program at a meeting at 7 tonight at the David Anderson High School auditorium.
The meeting was called by village council to present information on the aftermath of last weekend's storms. Portions of the village were heavily damaged by flooding.
Jim Hoppel, the chairman of the commissioners, said under the mitigation program, the smallest form of governmental unit -- in this case, village council -- has to pursue the program.
Returning to normal
Commissioners said Tuesday that things were returning to normal and that the courthouse should reopen today.
Water pressure was returning in the village because of repairs to Lisbon's main waterlines.
But damage reports continue to come in.
Jay Carter, director of the county's Emergency Management Agency, said he had just received reports on homes damaged or destroyed in the Williamsport area.
So far, county figures show 18 homes have been destroyed, 33 have major damage, and 63 more have other damage. The total damage for public and private damage stands at $4.9 million
"These [numbers] will keep on growing," Carter said.
He urged people to continue to report damage to the Help Hotline at (330) 424-7767, the official reporting number. The hot line faxes damage reports to the EMA every day and the American Red Cross makes the damage assessment.
Meanwhile, the city of Warren is lending the village street department two half-ton pickup trucks to help with the cleanup. Mayor Michael O'Brien said he called Lisbon officials Monday after hearing about the storm damage. "I wanted to do whatever we could to help," O'Brien said.
Federal aid
Carter said he is confident the county can produce the numbers to qualify for federal aid. If so, it will be the third time in a year.
"I'm pretty tired," said Carter. "We're all tired. But we're trying to do the right thing at the right time."
The county qualified for federal aid after storms in July and August 2003 and again in May. Carter said the county was able to get federal declarations alone, which some officials say is difficult to obtain.
Information is compiled by Carter and then turned over to the state EMA. After review, it is sent on to the federal government for possible signing by the president.
Gov. Bob Taft's declaration of an emergency allowed the state to buy 6,000 gallons of water. Those were still being distributed at village hall.
Carter said, "That will not stop until everything is all right."
wilkinson@vindy.com