The March 14 tornado here claimed three lives and injured at least 27 people, some seriously, who are now facing multiple surgeries and months of painful healing and recovery.
Scores of residents have been displaced and are being housed by friends, relatives and through the aid of Red Cross, Indian Lake Chamber and other organizations and volunteers.
Indian Lake Schools relayed that 190 of their students have been directly impacted by the storm, either by injury and/or property damage.
Although damage was primarily in the Indian Lake area, properties in other parts of the of the county, such as Huntsville-addressed homes along County Road 39 and properties in Rushsylvania and West Mansfield, also were damaged (in some cases severely.)
The Ohio Emergency Management Agency released some “very preliminary” property damage estimates earlier this week via the agency’s Logan County office.
Of 900 properties surveyed by the state EMA, 118 were destroyed, 163 had major damage, 432 sustained minor damage and 187 were in some way affected by the devastating weather event.
It will likely take some time to calculate the full human and financial cost of this tragedy on our community.
In the meantime, continue to help your neighbor any way you can.
Many have said they feel “helpless” in looking for ways to aid people who have lost everything.
To quote Mother Teresa, “Not all of us can can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
Check back periodically for updates.