Perrysburg Twp. trustees express gratitude for cleanup efforts

11/20/2013

Gratitude was passed around at the Perrysburg Township trustees meeting for responses to the tornado that raced through part of the township Sunday night.

"All the departments pulled together so quickly and so well," Township Administrator Walt Celley said. 

The trustees also declared a local emergency related to the storm, which trustee Gary Britten said might qualify the township for state aid.

Mr. Celley went on to thank several local businesses for their assistance during the hours after an EF-2 tornado with winds estimated at up to 125 mph touched down near U.S. 20 and Lime City Road and intensified as it crossed State Rt. 795 near Oregon Road.

GEM Industrial came to the police station two hours after the storm to offer heavy machinery and manpower for the clean up. The manager of a local Lowe's store sent employee volunteers to help with cleanup, while a local Home Depot store passed out bottled water and provided tools and lumber.

Also on the trustees' thank-you roll call was the Lake Township Police Department, while Fire Chief Tom Brice thanked Perryburg city, Rossford, and Northwood for sending multiple crews to help. While the township's radios were down Chief Brice was able to call Perrysburg Fire Chief Jeff Klein's cell phone to get assistance. 

"Neighbors pulling together," Police Chief Mark Hetrick said for the police assistance from Rossford, Owens Community College, Northwood, and Walbridge.

The township is planning to go through the Starbright subdivision soon to do additional cleanup with limbs down.