Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, November 19, 2013
(WASHINGTON) - Governor Mike Pence visited Washington Monday to survey damage and to talk to residences and city officials.
An EF-2 tornado damaged close to 100 homes and businesses in Daviess County.
"Our hearts go out to all of the families affected by this storm," said Pence. "We are watching with concern and admiration the way they responded. Hoosiers were really fortunate to have no loss of life. Local emergency agencies and just people and neighbors took the kind of action to save lives. This was a fast-moving, dangerous storm. It was a super cell. Even though it is late in the season people responded correctly to the warnings."
The governor called the tour of the damaged areas part of the state response to the tornado outbreak.
The governor says the Department of Transportation and the State Police are involved in the clean-up and is seeking more more aid for damaged communities from FEMA and the Small Business Administration . And will look at the state disaster relief fund.
"Part of our effort will be to help those who were hard hit and did not have insurance," he added.
The governor, along with Mayor Joe Wellman and all the other state lawmakers and Congressman Larry Bucshon visited the Sycamore Street area, which was hit hard.
The governor stopped and talked with contractors working to put the pieces back together before making his final stop at the Taylor family home at 304 Sycamore.
After the tour the governor stopped and reflected on what he saw. "It breaks your heart," he said. I understand the attachment people have to a neighborhood. It's going to be a long way back for these folks. We can pick-up. We can clean up and rebuild. We are going to work closely with the mayor on the damage assessment. We're going to do our part to help Washington, Indiana rebuild."
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