LAKE TOWNSHIP, OH (Toledo News Now) - LAKE TOWNSHIP, OH (WTOL) - City and safety officials of Lake Township held a news conference Monday to give updates on various issues while they begin to rebuild after a tornado.
The director of the Wood County Emergency Management Agency, Brad Gilbert, says they are still in the early stages of assessing damage. They hope to have preliminary numbers by Monday afternoon. When pressed for a ball park figure, Gilbert said a very early estimate is "towards $100 million."
The largest cost will be repairing the school system. The high school has been deemed a total loss. The middle school and elementary school are being assessed. Both sustained roof damage, and Gilbert says their overall structure is in question.
The police department lost their building as well as six patrol cars and a fire vehicle. They're borrowing vehicles from neighboring departments, and Police Chief Mark Hummer says they are fully staffed.
About 100 residential homes in Lake Township were damaged or destroyed.
The Wood County Emergency Management Agency is organizing a volunteer reception center that will be at Grace United Methodist Church in Moline. The church is located on East Broadway.
Cash donations are being handled through the Red Cross. Representatives from the Red Cross will also be at All Saints Church in Rossford to collect donated items.
The Wood County Health Department is setting up a preventive vaccination clinic for tetanus and hepatitis. Staff will likely be ready to begin vaccinations Monday afternoon. The location is not determined for certain, but Gilbert says it will likely be at the Millbury Fireman's Hall.
Chief Hummer says a dusk-to-dawn curfew remains in effect Monday night in heavily damaged areas. The curfew will last until all residents have gathered their personal belongings, which should take one or two days.
The communications center is working again in Lake Township. Residents can call 911 or any non-emergency Lake Township police number.
The Lake Township police headquarters will be temporarily located in two different places. The administration and dispatch operations will be housed in the Northwood Police Department. The communications center will be at the Millbury fire station. Township Trustee Melanie Bowen says they are preparing the building that previously housed the State Highway Patrol Post #87 as the new location of the Lake Township police until their building can be replaced.
Chief Hummer says the two remaining victims will be identified through the coroner's office. Due to the large number of agencies responding to emergencies, the coroner's office is managing the information.
A first-aid station is located at St. Peters Church with emergency staff in place.
Fire chief Todd Welders advises everyone exposed to debris to be aware of power lines. The electric company is re-energizing power lines. He says all wires should be treated as live wires.
Welders also advises all volunteers and residents to wear gloves, if possible.
Additionally, the chief says the police and fire departments concluded search and rescue efforts at 8 p.m. Sunday and that all residents are now accounted for.
