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Ohio National Guard To Assist Winter Storm Cleanup In Lawrence And Gallia Counties
By: WOUB News Team
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WOUB) — Residents of Lawrence and Gallia Counties now have assistance in the cleanup of recent ice storms.
Gov. Mike DeWine activated the Ohio National Guard Friday to assist the two counties currently under a State of Emergency.
Members of the 1191st Engineer Company in Portsmouth were placed on state active duty to help local authorities with the removal of downed trees interfering with work to restore power and are obstructing ditches, creeks and streams.
“Thousands of people in the area are still without power because downed trees,” DeWine said in a press release. “By calling in the Ohio National Guard, we can help restore power faster and also prevent future flooding by removing debris from the water before the weather warms up.”
DeWine, according to the release, visited Lawrence County Friday to tour areas damaged by trees that snapped under the weight of thick ice.
A state of emergency was declared in Lawrence County Wednesday. The proclamation was amended Friday to include Gallia County. Both counties were heavily impacted by snow and ice storms that hit this and last week.
Other state agencies providing assistance include the Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Department of Administrative Services and Ohio Emergency Management Agency.