Storm Recovery: Letter From Mayor George

Click here to view a PDF of the letter.

Dear Lakewood Resident,

As we are all well aware, Lakewood has experienced an extremely difficult week following the touchdown of multiple tornadoes in Northeast Ohio, including in our immediate neighbor, Rocky River. With tens of thousands losing power and cellphone service here – some losing services for close to a week – it has been a time of extreme hardship for many. But we have also shown the true spirit of community that exists in Lakewood during this time.

I want to thank and commend so many of you who went out of your way to check on neighbors, offer help and supplies, donate money and goods to our Human Services department, and just generally pitch in during this time of need. I also must commend the work done by our various departments to swiftly and continuously provide critical public services over the past week.

Our police and fire emergency responders handled crises across the city in real time, but also took on key additional work such as delivering thousands of bottles of water to high-rises and obtaining emergency oxygen tanks for health challenged residents. Our Public Works team members have been doggedly making repairs and cleaning up the storm fallout. And some of our most important efforts have been performed by our Human Services Department staffers who worked many extra hours to keep Cove Community Center open for those in need of cooling, food and beverages, electricity, and WiFi. Our social workers also performed daily check-ins for our seniors who live in the multiple high rises and other senior residences across Lakewood. With additional support from a number of local Lakewood businesses, hundreds of meals were provided to those in need.  I am so proud of our frontline city workers for rising to the occasion in a time of great need and working many hours to get the job done. They are true public servants.

Outside of Lakewood, I want to give a special thank you to Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne for his leadership declaring the storm a county-wide emergency and for teaming with State Senator Nickie Antonio and State Representative Mike Skindell helping to push the State of Ohio to do the same. This was a key effort that succeeded. I also must acknowledge Governor DeWine for his decision to ultimately declare a state emergency for our county and seven others. This was an important designation that will allow Lakewood and our fellow affected communities to defray our costs incurred in responding to the storm fallout. The City will be working to take full advantage of these potential resources to underwrite our costs from the storm.

As we all work to move forward from the aftereffects of the storm, please consider and consult the list below that may provide you with key information and resources.

Sincerely,

Mayor Meghan F. George

Lost Food / SNAP Benefits: Many in our community, especially seniors on a limited income, benefit from SNAP benefits.  On the mornings of Wednesday August 14th and Thursday August 15th, members of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank benefits team will be at Cove Community Center (12525 Lake Avenue) to assist those who receive SNAP to apply for reimbursement for lost food, possibly up to a month’s worth of benefits. If you need transportation to Cove Community for these sessions, please call 216.521.1515.

In addition, in partnership with the Healthy Lakewood Foundation, the City is distributing a limited amount of gift cards for groceries to those in need who lost food, based on income qualifications. If interested, please call Human Services at 216.529.5061. The supply of funds is limited, and will be on a first come, first served basis.

Those who lost food not associated with SNAP may want to inquire with their homeowner’s insurance to see if they can file a claim for reimbursement for their loss, especially given the official government designation of this event as a state of emergency.

Refuse Collection (Food): If you need to dispose of spoiled food or other items, you can visit the Refuse and Recycling Center (12920 Berea Rd.) with your government ID or utility bill showing a Lakewood address. The City’s regular trash pickup schedule is still in effect otherwise.

Refuse Collection (Tree Limbs/Branches): Tree branches and limbs may be placed on your tree lawn for pickup; yard waste collection trucks will come around to pick up smaller branches and debris, preferably bagged in yard waste bags bundled. Streets/Forestry personnel will pick up larger branches and limbs; please cut to 4’ length pieces and no more than 6” in diameter. You can call the Refuse Division (216.252.4322) or Streets/Forestry Division (216.529.6810) to advise of any need to pick up fallen tree material.

Damage to Your Home/Building: The Building and Housing Department (216.529.6270) is performing inspections of damaged homes and can provide city documentation showing the need for repairs. While the city does not provide engineering analysis on structural damage, the paperwork provided by Building and Housing may be useful to homeowners when filing claims with their insurance providers. You can also find a list of contractors, searchable by service type, who are certified to perform work in Lakewood: https://www.lakewoodoh.gov/housing-building.

Beware “Storm Chaser” Scam Artists: After natural disasters, dishonest “storm chasers” and out-of-town contractors may knock on your door or call you to solicit business. These individuals often lack proper licensing, experience, and qualifications, and take money without delivering on their promises. The City advises you to be cautious with any such aggressive solicitations. You can read more about how to handle “storm chasers” here: https://www.bbb.org/all/natural-disasters/protect-yourself-from-storm-chasers.

Please Support Local Businesses: Many of our local Lakewood small businesses suffered losses as a result of the storm. The City encourages residents if possible to patronize our local shops and restaurants and help them keep dollars local as they reopen now that power has been restored. The City is also thankful to those businesses that had power who donated food and resources to those in need.

Sign Up for “ReadyNotify” System: In the past year, The City of Lakewood joined the Cuyahoga County ReadyNotify System, which allows us to send important messages to the community on a mass scale. ReadyNotify was extremely helpful in communicating with residents to keep them updated during the past week, and the City encourages everyone to register for this service. You can do so here: https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BFFD1901E551.