According to Cleveland-Bradley Emergency Management Agency Director Troy Spence, the downtown FEMA center at 10 Church St. processes an average of 25 recovery assistance applications daily.
The FEMA DRCs are operating Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In a related development, the CSCC Disaster Recovery Center was scheduled to be closed Friday morning during electrical maintenance work, but was expected to reopen by noon. Both FEMA centers will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day.
Meanwhile, Bradley County’s massive cleanup continues as truck crews work six days a week to rid heavily damaged neighborhoods of piles of brush debris, as well as mountains of construction and demolition materials. The undertaking is expected to take several weeks, but Bradley County leaders are pleased by the progress to this point.
Earlier in the week, the EMA office reported 40,000 cubic yards of storm-related debris had been hauled away to the Bradley County Landfill or burned.
Area residents are working hard to cooperate with FEMA guidelines in the debris removal process, Spence said.
“The Emergency Management Agency expresses appreciation to those residents in the affected areas for separating vegetative debris from construction and demolition debris, where practical,” the EMA director stressed. “This has helped to speed up the collection process.”
He reminded residents of other FEMA requirements that, if followed, will hasten the complicated cleanup.
“Crews cannot remove debris from private property,” Spence said. “It is the property owner’s responsibility to move debris to the road right of way, but not in the road, and (not in any) drainage ditch if possible.”
EMA also issued several new announcements including:
- The Disaster Relief Distribution Center on Barney’s Lane needs industrial-sized fans. Donors of these types of fans may contact the center at 478-0013. The distribution center is open for disaster victims Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The center will be open on Memorial Day.
- Catholic Charities was on hand at the distribution center Friday until 12:30 p.m. distributing $50 pledges for utilities assistance and also giving out Wal-Mart gift cards to storm victims while quantities lasted. Those seeking this type of assistance are required to provide a photo ID, Social Security card, current utility bill in the applicant’s name, a disconnect notice for the utility bill and proof of income. The assistance cannot be used to cover fees associated with late payments.
- The Barney’s Lane Distribution Center will hold a Volunteer Night on Tuesday, May 31, from 6 to 9 p.m. Assembled volunteers will assist with sorting through hundreds of boxes and bags of used clothing, setting up offices, organizing furniture and general cleaning. Volunteers wishing to help may contact Rochelle Mayberry via email at rmayberry@leeuniversity.edu, or by contacting the center manager, Monica Luithle, at 919-909-7196.
- The Bradley Baptist Association continues to take work orders to assist property owners with minor cleanup recovery. Anyone wishing assistance with this type of work may call 476-5493. Various organizations, operating through the BBA, are partnering to help meet these needs. Any organization wishing to volunteer a team or group may contact the Volunteer Team Coordinator at 919-909-7199.
- General information on disaster relief resources and volunteer opportunities that are available may be obtained by accessing the www.clevelandbradley.can.com website.
