Debris removal still occurring, residents reminded about appropriate items

(From the City of Joplin)

The City was pleased to announce earlier this week that with the assistance of its federal and state partners the hard-pressed August 7 deadline for Expedited Debris Removal (EDR) on private property had been met. As all recognize this significant accomplishment, residents may still be finishing their clean-up efforts from the May 22 tornado, and some debris piles remain in the rights-of-way. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has stated that the contractor will continue to pick up the debris for the remainder of next week. Moving it to the curbside should be completed by August 16 to ensure they have time to complete this task prior to the Corps’ deployment August 21.

The EDR initiative allowed government-funded contractors to remove loose tornado debris from private property within a designated tornado-damaged area, and offered a 90 percent federal match to a 10 percent local and state match for costs incurred. FEMA introduced this initiative and mission assigned the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to execute the debris management process.

Residents should know that it is still very important to separate items into the various categories of concrete; construction and demolition (C&D); household hazardous waste (paint, cleaners, etc.); white goods (freezers, refrigerators, etc.); and electronics or E-Goods (computers, etc.). Failure to properly separate the debris may result in the debris not getting picked up. In addition trash or items resulting from “cleaning out the garage or attic” or rebuilding will not be picked up either. Residents should also ensure that their vehicles or other obstacles are not blocking the debris piles from the contractors.

Since the debris management phase of this disaster is completed, the City has shifted its focus to the demolition of unsafe structures and the rebuilding aspect for its residents. If citizens still have remaining debris, they should contact the City of Joplin’s Tornado Assistance Information Line at 417-627-2900 and provide an address. The site will be reviewed to ensure that the debris is both separated and is eligible as tornado-damage materials, as mentioned above.

The City announced earlier this week that with the assistance of its federal and state partners the hard-pressed August 7 deadline for Expedited Debris Removal (EDR) on private property had been met.

“FEMA and the Corps have provided great assistance with this initiative allowing us to hit this significant deadline” said Rohr. “Since we are receiving this courtesy from the Corps, we need to accept it gratefully and comply by its dictates by separating the debris as needed. Residents should then contact the City in order to ensure all is picked up from the rights-of-way. This is an important step in cleaning up our City.”