(From the City of Joplin)
Storm debris-removal efforts for public streets and curbsides in the City of Joplin are scheduled to begin Wednesday, June 1, city officials are announcing.
Meanwhile, the city’s search crews are conducting a sixth pass in Joplin’s tornado-devastated areas to continue an all-out effort to find all persons who are still reported to be missing.
“This has been a significant disaster that has affected over 30% of our City,” said Mark Rohr, City Manager of Joplin. “We are here for our residents, and this effort is a priority. We have not given up hope. We will proceed with the hope of a miracle occurring.”
Plans for debris removal are now being finalized. The larger, debris-removal efforts are being managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its authorized subcontractors. The Army Corps has been brought in by FEMA at the request of local and state officials to help with the massive debris removal needs in Joplin and surrounding areas.
Initial debris-removal efforts will concentrate on clearing storm debris from public rights-of-way which encompass curbside areas of public streets. Wherever possible, citizens who are moving debris towards the curbsides are encouraged to sort their debris into six basic categories: Vegetative (trees, bushes, brush), White Goods such as refrigerators, freezers, water heaters, lawn mowers; Electronics such as computers, telephones, DVDs; C&D which includes structural pieces, furniture, possessions and carpeting; Hazardous Waste such as oil, batteries, paints, household cleaning supplies and regular, bagged Household Garbage (food, paper, packaging, etc.)
A separate effort to remove storm debris from certain public and private property will begin soon as well. This effort is aimed at properties that sustained catastrophic or extensive damage. All debris removal will be done under the observation of a trained spotter in the event a recovery is needed.
Owners of these heavily damaged properties will need to sign a Right-of-Entry (ROE) before this specific debris removal can begin. City officials will soon be providing this form and announcing various locations for citizens to pick up and return copies.
City officials note that signing an ROE does not transfer ownership of property. Rather, this permission allows the Army Corps and its subcontractors to go onto private property and remove debris. Demolition of storm-damaged homes and businesses will not take place during this operation.
City officials will continue to provide regular debris removal updates in the coming days and weeks.
For additional updates, citizens are encouraged to visit www.facebook.com/cityofjoplin.
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