700K in Ohio still without power; Romney campaign begins relief effort

700K in Ohio still without power; Romney campaign begins relief effort

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Nearly 700,000 Ohio homes and businesses remained without power this morning, but federal help is on the way after President Barack Obama declared the state was in an emergency late Saturday night.

Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s campaign is helping storm relief efforts in Ohio. Spokesman Chris Maloney says the state campaign headquarters in Columbus is open today for donations of water, flashlights, non-perishable foods and other items needed in the aftermath of severe storms Friday evening that knocked out power to much of the state amid a heat wave. He says a Romney bus in Ohio this week for campaign office openings will be diverted Monday and Tuesday to deliver supplies to shelters, fire stations and churches in hard-hit areas.

Obama’s action Saturday followed a request by Gov. John Kasich, who had earlier declared a state emergency and called out the National Guard.

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials are meeting today in Columbus with state officials to determine the biggest needs and where to take water, generators and other aid.

Severe storms that swept the state Friday evening and Saturday knocked out power to 1 million customers, and widespread damage to poles and circuits have slowed restoration. Kasich called the situation “extremely serious” because of a continued heat wave. Some 200 National Guard troops will help recovery efforts in Cincinnati and Columbus.