SHELBY – The business corridor along Ohio 39 on the south side of Shelby has mostly returned to normal, four days after a tornado roared through the community.
As of Wednesday, all four lanes of traffic on the route — closed by an extensive number of downed power lines and poles — were reopened. Director of Utilities John Ensman said power has been restored in the city.
“With the exception of tidying up some odds and ends, it’s pretty much back to normal,” Combs said. “Our line crews are going to have to continue to work on some additional things as time goes on, but for the most part a lot of that stuff is done.”
On Sunday evening, an F2 tornado traveled a 17-mile diagonal trek northeast across Richland County properties and townships, cutting across the south section of Shelby, then moving northeast across several different townships.
Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 120-125 miles per hour, and the tornado’s maximum width was half a mile wide.
According to Ensman, the city of Shelby lost approximately 60 percent of its power during Sunday’s storm. Within three hours, 95 percent of power was restored, except for the business district of Mansfield Avenue.
“From the time the tornado rolled through Shelby, the power was restored to that area where the tornado ran through within 52 hours,” he said. “It was a very impressive undertaking, and says a lot about public power communities and how we can rely on one another.”
Ensman said 15 other public power communities assisted Shelby in the effort to restore power, expediting the process. Only a few other utility services need repaired, including an underground service line to Arby’s and a few repairs being handled by Spectrum.
According to Ensman, the businesses still closed along Ohio 39 include Rocket Chevrolet and Advanced Auto Parts.
“The clean-up process went very well right after all the power poles and lines were installed,” Ensman said. “Between Shelby Utilities and the communication companies, everybody came right behind and cleaned up all the material.”
According to the National Weather Service, the most significant damage from the tornado was located on the southeast and east side of Shelby from near the Rocket Chevrolet dealership along Ohio 39, northeastward to Ohio 96, where a home was significantly damaged. Combs said all the businesses along Ohio 39 are secure, with the exception of Rocket Chevrolet at 233 Mansfield Avenue.
“We are staffing that for security reasons, then that will transition to a different form of security at the end of the week,” Combs said.
The dealership announced on its Facebook page Monday that reopening was the goal, but at this point they did not have a timeline as to when that might happen.
“We appreciate all the kind words, prayers, and support over the past 24 hours from our customers, our community, and strangers alike. We will keep everyone updated with details as we start to rebuild.”
Next door to Rocket at 249 Mansfield Avenue, Donley Ford of Shelby sustained significant damage from the tornado but was able to open its doors again on Thursday with the return of electrical power.
According to Marketing Manager Judi Dickinson, Donley is fully operational in the parts and services departments, and the sales department is operational in temporary mobile units that are on-site.
“We continue to work through the damage that the storm left in its path but have made significant progress,” Dickinson said. “We look forward to being fully refurbished in the very near future.”
Dickinson added a “huge sale” would be announced in the near future of Donley’s inventory of new and used vehicles. She thanked the community volunteers, friends and neighbors who have banded together the past few days to provide resources and labor.
“We extend our gratitude and commend our first responders in the Shelby and Richland County area for their quick response and assistance to our entire community as we work through the aftermath of this terrible storm,” Dickinson said. “We’re proud to be part of such a strong community.”
A number of businesses in the Discount Drug Mart plaza were able to reopen earlier in the week with limited capabilities. Drug Mart, located at 219 Mansfield Avenue, announced on Tuesday that it was open to customers.
“Thanks to our dedicated team, our Shelby location is back in business,” the company said on its Facebook page. “We’re here to offer continued support for all those impacted by the storm on Sunday in the Shelby community. Refrigerated and frozen food will be restocked in the next day, all other offerings are currently available including pharmacy and grocery. We’re here for you Shelby!”
Snap Fitness at 209 Mansfield Ave. also announced via Facebook on Tuesday it had reopened.
“Be aware there is no heat or air conditioning, internet or cable,” the business said. “Be careful entering the parking lot. Best way to enter would be Technology Parkway to Lamplighter. Not a member? That’s OK. Stop in this week for a free workout during staffed hours.”
Looking ahead to long-term recovery in Shelby, the Richland County Organizations for Disaster Assistance (CODA) has been activated by the Richland County Emergency Management Agency (EMA).
The Richland CODA coordinates long-term recovery efforts for households affected. First Call 2-1-1 will serve as the central clearinghouse to field requests for assistance. Households may call 2-1-1 (419-522-4636) to discuss their immediate needs and provide contact information for ongoing assistance.
According to Rebecca Owens, chair of Richland CODA, only monetary donations are being requested at this time.
“Once specific needs have been identified and households are ready to rebuild, material items that meet those needs may be requested for donation,” she said.
Anyone wishing to donate funds to the recovery efforts of Richland CODA can do so through any Mechanics Bank branch. Monetary donations are also accepted at the North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC) office, the fiscal agent for Richland CODA, at 134 N. Main Street in downtown Mansfield. All funds are used exclusively for Richland County assistance.
“We are completing the initial damage assessments reports at this time,” said Richland County EMA Interim Director Rick Evans. “Those results help to determine what additional resources may be available for recovery efforts. In the meantime, we have a very responsive community generously helping out friends and neighbors.”
Richland CODA members encompass a variety of local resource agencies, such as Shelby Helpline Ministries, American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Disaster Services, First Call 2-1-1, and Salvation Army units, among others, working cooperatively to address the needs of impacted residents.
Organizations wishing to join the efforts of Richland CODA may contact the organization’s co-chairs, Rebecca Owens at 419-908-3201 (rowens@toledodiocese.org) or Terry Carter, at 419-525-2193 (tcarter@mrcpl.org).
