The Board of Ottawa County Commissioners declared a State of Emergency in Ottawa County on Tuesday, June 20, due to storms and an EF2 tornado that entered into Ottawa County the evening of Thursday, June 15, destroying county homes and property within the county.

As Ottawa County residents continue to recover from the storms, the Commissioners are executing the disaster declaration in order to permit the use of some emergency funds that various agencies may have available to aid in their recovery.

The Ottawa County Building Department is reminding residents that permits are required for repair of damage. Any question to verify contractors can be directed to their office at 419-734-6767, said Director Fred Petersen of the Ottawa County Emergency Management Agency

Ottawa County Auditor Jennifer Widmer is advising property owners with buildings either damaged or destroyed that they should complete an Application for Deduction for Destroyed or Damaged Real Property Form (DTE Form 26). The form is available at the Auditor’s website: https://ottawaoh-auditor.ddti.net.

If anyone has any questions, call the Auditor’s office at 419-734-6740.

Residents and visitors of Ottawa County are advised to review their Tornado Warning Procedures and discuss them with their families and associates. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the County’s free cell phone alerting program at: https://entry.inspironlogistics.com/ottawa_oh/wens.cfm. If there are questions or concerns, call their office.