The Highway 30 Express

It has been a long, long two weeks. So instead of the wonders of Day Two...it is now the end of Week Two in Ohio. Thank goodness the State of Ohio four-laned Highway 30 which has become the Tyson Expressway (always at 65mph, and the highway patrol is ALWAYS on hand to make sure I observe the local customs).

I have been the FEMA spokesman for the media in four counties in the eight county Ohio flood and tornado disaster (Aug. 20-28). It has been fairly tiresome...12-hour days for two weeks. But also somewhat enjoyable in that the media folks are good to deal with, professional, and focused on helping their readers and listeners.

This is a pictue taken by a FEMA photog at WXML Radio in Upper Sandusky where I do a weekly radio update.

I drive, almost daily, between the cities of Mansfield, Ohio - to Tiffin, Ohio - and to near Marion, Ohio (for those keeping track on Google Maps)...and points in between like Bucyrus, Carey, Galion, and such. This is Corn Country for Ohio with a lot of wide-open spaces and scenic farm settings.

I have also been over to the other side of the disaster to help out when the events were too numerous for one person to handle. In this FEMA photo I am chatting with the police chief in Blufton, Ohio along with a Community Relations guy and a local reporter. We were sharing stories about the relief effort.


I usually talk to editors/reporters at seven daily newspapers, three weekly newspapers, six radio stations, and a TV station...so I am on the phone a lot, and driving a lot!

This means visiting the disaster recovery centers in the four counties each day, too. I see a lot of people. I think that the victims here are getting the help they need...but a lot of the recovery is just due to how well organized the emergency management folks are here, and how self-reliant the people are. Their attitude reminds me a lot of the attitude on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and in Kansas.

They want just enough help, and then to be left alone to deal with their own issues.

So, it has been intense...unfortunately, none of the hotels have kitchens in the rooms...but other than the creature comforts, it has been OK. More later.:-)