The Miami Valley Long Term Recovery Operations Group is planning an event to help property owners seal up their tornado-damaged property before winter hits.
Memorial Day tornadoes damaged thousands of area properties and hundreds of businesses, many of which were covered in blue tarps and boarded up in the wake of the storm but still aren’t repaired for numerous reasons.
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“Many of the tarps that went on immediately post-disaster have become loose or damaged, and while people are waiting for insurance, contractors, volunteer assistance to do permanent repairs, we want to make sure they’re safe,” said Laura Mercer, director of the recovery group.
Property owners who need help with roof tarping and boarding of windows can call (937) 966-0037 to request assistance by Nov. 13. That number is only for that service.
Tornado survivors in Montgomery, Greene and Miami counties with other disaster-related needs are urged to call the United Way helpline at 211.
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Volunteers will then be needed to help seal up homes throughout November, including at a Button-Up for Winter Weekend on Nov. 15 and 16. Those interested can sign up at mvstrong.org under the volunteer tab.
The recovery group, a consortium of nonprofits leading disaster recovery efforts, has volunteers canvassing hard-hit neighborhoods with door hangers promoting the imitative.
John Pyron, who is helping coordinate the event as director of Lutheran Social Services disaster services, said it’s vital to seal up damaged properties before wet winter weather.
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“Water will find its way into a house no matter what, and if you don’t stop that water and have some kind of barrier, you get rot in boards, more importantly you get mildew, mold, which then creates all kinds of health hazards, it shorts out electric circuits,” he said.
Furthermore, he said, poorly sealed windows and roofs send heating costs skyrocketing for residents, many of whom already are struggling financially since the storm.
“Ideally we’d be able to get a roof on the house,” he said, “but recognizing limited resources, limited capacity as far as people to do it, limited contractors, I think (the) best thing is button it up for now.”
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TORNADO RECOVERY
The Dayton Daily News is investigating obstacles to recovery for survivors of this year’s Memorial Day tornadoes, and exploring opportunities for our region to rebuild stronger. As part of this effort, reporters Josh Sweigart and Chris Stewart, along with Storm Center 7’s Chief Meteorologist McCall Vrydaghs are walking the path of the largest tornado that touched down that night. Together they are getting a close look at the damage and talking to survivors. Find our coverage at DaytonDailyNews.com/Tornado.
Event to help replace women’s clothing lost in tornadoes
Women who lost clothing in the Memorial Day tornadoes will be able to choose from 3,000 brand-new pieces during an event Saturday.
The Dayton nonprofit Clothes That Work and cabi, the nation’s largest social-selling women’s clothing company, will help 900 local women impacted by the disaster.
The new clothing is donated by The Heart of cabi Foundation. Local cabi stylists will also donate additional gently worn clothes for the event.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Clothes That Work, 1133 S. Edwin C Moses Blvd., Suite 392, Entrance A in Dayton.
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