Clark County renews call for tornado recovery volunteers

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio ( WDTN ) — It’s been nearly three months since the Miami Valley’s first tornado outbreak of the year.

Eight tornadoes touched down in Ohio on Feb. 28, including one in Riverside, one in Beavercreek and another in Clark County.

Three months may seem like a long time, but some people in the path of those tornadoes are still dealing with the aftershocks, including a lot of debris. 2 NEWS spoke with local residents and community members, who continue to work on recovery, with a renewed call to action.

“It’s been tough for everybody, who would’ve ever thought?” said Kerry Pedraza with United Way of Clark, Champaign and Madison Counties. “But together we can get through it, and together we are getting through it. We just need one more last push.”

After an EF-2 tornado in February had its 19-mile run on the ground, 93 homes were damaged, including eight that were completely destroyed and 12 with major damage. But this was not enough for a disaster declaration.

“Anytime you don’t have those federal and state resources coming in, it really does reflect back to the community to take care of one another,” said Pedraza.

This is why the community is asking for a helping hand as they are still cleaning up the mess left behind.

Clark County’s long term recovery committee says volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on each of the next four weekends. Lunch and drinks will be provided, but they need the community to lend a helping hand.

“We are looking to get as many volunteers out that can help us with construction debris, pick up small debris, pick up to put in garage bags and also removing cut limbs into certain piles for our heavy equipment to pick up,” said Mark Fouts, board president of American Regulators USA.

Pedraza with United Way says community support is a big help, but they know some things will never be repaired.

“Anytime someone’s house is, you know, their residence is taken away from them, it doesn’t matter what else is going on, your entire home, family and memories were taken away from you,” said Pedraza.

All locations and additional information will be posted at the start of each weekend on the American Regulators USA Disaster Relief Facebook page . Addresses will be posted so volunteers know where to go, and then deleted at the end of the weekend for privacy to residents.

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