"Clean Sweep" effort to start following Joplin tornado

The following news release was issued by the city of Joplin:

While we are still fully involved with search and rescue efforts, the City is beginning the clean-up efforts in response to the EF-5 tornado that hit our City on Sunday, May 22. Based on  the magnitude of this storm and remaining debris left, the City cannot do this effort without the assistance of other levels of government.
Due to the extent of this disaster and the amount of clean up needed, the City has requested from SEMA (State Emergency Management Agency) to initiate the “Clean Sweep” effort. SEMA has forwarded this request to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) who administers this program and makes a final determination.
“Clean Sweep” operation allows removal of debris on private and public property. It is a new and innovative program recently used in other locations that have experienced similar disasters.
The City will keep our community informed as this request is being processed by FEMA. If approved, specific details to the program will follow.
“Although the City is taking the lead in the cleanup process of the storm and its results, in order to advance in the next phase of clean up and rebuilding, the City needs this,” said Mark Rohr, City Manager.”
Rohr also noted that the cooperation from FEMA, SEMA and other agencies and entities has been phenomenal as we have worked through this process.