Community rallying to help with repairs of 65 homes, 20 businesses damaged by tornado
The 110 mph wind from the tornado that whipped through Crawford County has united the community in reparation efforts for the 65 homes and 20 businesses that were damaged.
“The community spirit shone through as residents came together to support one another in the aftermath of the disaster,” Crawford Partnership wrote in its business damage assessment report of the April 18 EF1 tornado. “Despite the severity of the storm, there were no reported injuries or fatalities, a testament to the community's rapid response and resilience.”
Crawford County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) reported damage was done to 65 homes.
Two single-family units were destroyed, one single-family home suffered major damages, 25 single-family units and two mobile homes suffered minor damages and 35 single-family homes suffered cosmetic damages that did not impact day-to-day living, according to the EMA report.
Kennedy Pine, EMA administrative assistant, said in EMA terms, destroyed means two or more structural components of the building are gone, or the residents have been confirmed to be in immediate danger.
“That what destroyed means to us,” Pine said.
She said EMA classifies damages as major in cases in which, for example, a roof over essential living spaces is gone, such as bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchen, or there is damage to the building's foundation.
Minor damages mean smaller components of the living spaces or outer structures are gone or damaged. The smaller components include, but are not limited to, shingles and siding.
Businesses impacted
In total, more than 20 businesses reported significant damage, according to Crawford Partnership. Key examples include ARK Realty, where the front half of the roof was blown off, and Castle Auctions & Appraisals, which suffered from broken windows and structural issues.
Other notable damages include an interior ceiling collapse at EnVision Eyecare and significant water damage at Copper Irons Axe Throwing & Entertainment. Family Dollar faced a collapsed roof with scattered inventory and building materials, highlighting the extensive nature of the storm's impact.
Here is a list of businesses impacted
ARK Realty – front half of the roof blown off and considerable damage to the second floor;
Castle Auctions & Appraisals and The Castle Coin Shop – damage includes a missing sign, broken windows and structural issues at the rear of the building;
The Computer Guru – both front display windows shattered, with glass blown inside the store;
Copper Irons Axe Throwing & Entertainment – significant roof damage affecting all three floors with notable water damage;
Clady’s and Rustic Roots – roof and water damage;
EnVision Eyecare – significant structural damage, including a partial ceiling collapse;
Family Dollar – severe damage with a collapsed roof, broken windows, and inventory and building materials scattered in the parking area;
Heat Wave Tanning – missing sections of roof shingles;
Insurance Center of Bucyrus – damage to the front of the building, with specific details about the roof yet to be fully assessed;
Mane Rage – sustained damage from a fallen chimney and roof damage;
Midwest Furniture – broken display windows, roof damage, and some inventory damage, with further assessments pending;
Norman’s Niche – heaters fell onto a truck;
North Central Ohio Radio Group – downed trees, displaced or damaged towers and a leaning chimney, with the brick exterior removed and debris scattered;
Old 30 BBQ/Golf Course – downed trees, lines and a stage that was blown several yards east;
Pizza Hut – roof damage on the east side and interior disruptions;
Print Happier – front display window blown in and interior ceiling damage;
Sherwin Williams – cracked wall sign and a hanging sign blown down the street to Midwest Furniture;
Tattoo Factory – damage to the middle board of its sign and the fence at the back of the property;
Whetstone Plaza – the sign for the plaza partially blown out;
Gionino’s Pizza, People’s Savings & Loan, Starkey & Stoll Law Offices, Bucyrus Public Library and Ehrhart’s Party Store suffered power outages.
Building next to the former Salvation Army on E. Rensselaer St. – roof was completely blown off, with debris found in the surrounding yard.
Crawford Partnership, Geenex Solar and Magnificent Maid assistance
Crawford Partnership, together with the developer of greenfield utility-scale solar projects Geenex Solar and cleaning service Magnificent Maid, announced the day after the storm that programs were available to assist small businesses impacted by the storms.
Crawford Partnership offered a zero-percent interest loan rate from the Recover Crawford Business Relief Loan fund, offered in partnership with the Community Foundation for Crawford County.
The fund offers loans of up to $10,000 to small businesses and nonprofits to assist with short-term expenses related to getting back up and running.
“As our community faces these challenges, I am so grateful for support being offered to local businesses,” said David Zak, Crawford Partnership president and CEO. “We hope our Recover Crawford Emergency Loan fund, in partnership with the Community Foundation, helps alleviate the financial burdens businesses are currently facing as they work to get back on their feet. We want them to know they are not alone.”
Geenex Solar offered its Wombat Solar Community Rebuild & Recover Grant program with grants of up to $2,500 to assist in recovery of the Crawford County businesses.
“We are committed to helping Crawford County businesses bounce back stronger,” U.S. community relations Director at Geenex Leah Cordy said. “Our Wombat Solar Community Rebuilding Grant aims to provide immediate financial assistance to those impacted by the recent devastating weather.”
Magnificent Maid offered free interior cleaning to assist in getting things back to normal at businesses.
"In these tough times, clean spaces can make a big difference,” said Magnificent Maid owner Dustin Ritchie. “Our Storm Clean Up program is designed to help local businesses restore normalcy without worrying about the cost."
Federal recovery assistance
On Thursday, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared a major disaster exists in Ohio and ordered federal assistance to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by tornadoes in March and April, which includes Crawford County.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover.
Federal funding also is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Residents and business owners can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App.
Community support
The most affected area of the storm, Pine said, was around Kaler Avenue and South Sandusky Street. The Crawford Partnership reported the tornado cut a destructive path about 100 yards wide and nearly 3.5 miles long, starting near the bend of Kerstetter Road and West Southern Avenue and tracking northeast through the city.
Pine said the residents of the destroyed and damaged houses were helped by the community and especially churches, including the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.
“The really good thing about our community is that everybody tries to help everybody,” Pine said.
Despite the storm that uprooted trees, destroyed outbuildings and moved a two-story house off its foundation, the local response was immediate and robust, Crawford Partnership said.
“Bucyrus city employees, including the police and fire departments, were promptly mobilized to assist with emergency operations,” said the partnership. “They dealt with numerous hazards such as downed power lines and fallen trees, while also helping to manage debris scattered across the city.”
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: April EF1 tornado damage cleanup still going strong in Bucyrus
