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County declares disaster after storm; emergency-management team outlines damage assessment
Summary
Delaware County declared a disaster after a storm and tornado path April 2; emergency management reported 42 affected structures (26 minor, 12 major, 9 destroyed), described a 15.2-mile path and urged residents to use preparedness tools.
Delaware County commissioners voted April 7 to adopt a disaster declaration following a severe storm and tornado that struck parts of the county on April 2.
John Coutinho, the county emergency-management director, summarized a damage assessment conducted with state and federal teams. He reported 42 affected structures in the county: 26 with minor damage, 12 with major damage and 9 destroyed structures. Assessors and National Weather Service partners characterized the primary tornado track as approximately 15.2 miles long and about 200 yards wide in parts of its path.
Why it matters: The declaration helps the county and affected residents access state disaster-relief funds (state Disaster Relief Fund, SDRF) and prepares the county to request public-assistance and individual-assistance funding if thresholds are met. Coutinho explained FEMA public-assistance and individual-assistance thresholds and said a local declaration would help if state funds are available.
Officials’ response and logistics: - Emergency Management coordinated damage assessments with FEMA teams who “QC’d” local assessments. - No injuries or deaths were reported from the storm and tornado. - AEP (utility) staged crews in Muncie and coordinated rapid response; county officials praised utility and highway crews for clearing roads and restoring services quickly. - Coutinho urged residents not to rely solely on outdoor sirens for indoor warning, recommended NOAA weather radios and promoted Nixle alerts (text ZIP code to 888777 to opt in).
Vote: The commissioners approved the disaster declaration by roll call.
