Governor: No State of Emergency declared because no assistance has been requested

Cleveland, Ohio (WOIO) – After more than a dozen state lawmakers call upon Governor Mike DeWine to declare a State of Emergency, DeWine’s office says there doesn’t seem to be any need for outside help.

14 lawmakers signed and submitted a request to the Governor Thursday ― pleading for his help getting federal assistance for Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain Counties. But, according to the Governor’s Press Secretary Daniel Tierney, none of the counties’ local emergency management agencies have requested assistance.

On Friday, DeWine issued a Proclamation of Preparedness Response, essentially stating the state is ready to help any Ohio community in need of critical services due to Tuesday’s storms. However, Tierney says ― so far ― the Governor’s office has only received one request from Cuyahoga County’s Health Department to help fill oxygen tanks. He said, other than that, no other agency has requested assistance.

As for power restoration, Tierney says First Energy has been recruiting workers from other states to handle that.

“We are in constant contact with all local emergency management agencies,” Tierney said. “They all say they’re okay. We are ready to help, we’re begging the local emergency management agencies to please let us know if they need anything ― but they tell us they’re okay.”

Tierney says the Governor is ready and willing to send in help as soon as it’s requested. Then, if the state can’t handle the issue ― it’ll contact FEMA, but only as a last resort.

“If viewers know of something that needs to be done, then they can ask our office,” Tierney said.

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