Federal and state officials tour damage in Delaware County

Wednesday, March 15th 2006, 11:08 am

By: News On 6

Delaware County residents are worn out after a storm ravaged two small towns on Sunday. Federal and state Emergency Management officials toured Colcord and Twin Oaks on Wednesday, trying to assess the damage.

News on 6 anchor Tami Marler says there is good news and bad news in Delaware County. The good news, it looks like there will be some federal assistance for those damaged by the storm. The bad news, recovery is going to be a long process.

At least 76 families lost everything in Sunday's tornado. Dozens more had severe damage and hundreds remain without power and running water. Emergency Management officials are tallying up the damage so folks can start receiving financial assistance. 21 families have received debit cards from the Red Cross.

Most people are staying on or near their property to keep an eye on their belongings. Tornado survivor Annie Husong "We lost our home, we lost everything. We have some friends who had a camp trailer with no bathroom, no water, but we're there. We're alive."

Everyone is helping out in Delaware County.

Cherokee Nation workers were among the first on the scene to provide whatever aid they could. Before the Red Cross, before state and federal aid, Delaware County storm victims are counting on each other for the strength they need to recover from a brutal storm.