Obama vows fast Ohio aid

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

President Barack Obama is promising a quick turnaround to requests for help from Ohio after the violent weekend storm that killed five people.

The White House says the Federal Emergency Management Agency planned to conduct preliminary assessments of damage in northwest Ohio starting today.

Obama told Gov. Ted Strickland on Monday that he and the first lady were sorry to hear about the loss of life in the state.

The White House says Obama and Strickland discussed how it will take time to know the full extent of the damage.

Strickland had requested federal help to survey the widespread damage caused by the storm.

A tornado that struck the village of Millbury on Saturday night killed five people and destroyed dozens of homes, a school and an emergency services building. Earlier reports of seven deaths were incorrect due to double counting.

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