Story by Lindsey Coleman, News Editor
Photos by Nick Bohannon/The News
Mayor Jack Rose declared a local state of emergency following the EF1 tornado that struck Murray over the weekend. The Mayor’s office released the city’s “cleanup and restoration plan” this afternoon.
Starting Thursday, March 1, the City of Murray Street Department will begin collecting debris within the identified storm damaged areas.
“The initial effort will begin in the hardest hit areas of Murray: Fairlane, Catalina, South 11th Street and Earl Court,” according to the press release.
Once the debris has been picked up in the hardest hit area, the road department will then begin on the other areas shaded on this map.
City officials are asking residents and business owners in the area of the storm path to separate the storm debris into two piles: construction debris and brush debris. Brush debris, defined as being 6 feet or less, will be collected and burned at a later date.
Construction debris, which includes items such as lumber, will be collected and taken to the Transfer Station and then to the landfill.
Due to landfill requirements, the city cannot collect whole tires; batteries; liquids, such as paint or chemicals; air conditioners; refrigerators; freezers or hazardous waste.
If you live outside of the shaded area on the map, you are asked to call the Murray Sanitation Department at 270-762-0380 to request pick up of your debris.
The annual brush pick up will be in April and residents and business owners are encouraged to use that time for all other non-storm related brush. More information on the event will be forthcoming on the City of Murray’s website.
“Community members not residing or aiding in the cleanup and restoration efforts are urged to avoid the area impacted by the storm to maintain the safety of those working in this congested area,” according to the press release.
The State of Emergency issued on Saturday night will be in effect until March 5, 2018. This will allow the expedition of the cleanup and restoration efforts.
“It also provides the opportunity to apply for FEMA funds which are available to public entities for the reimbursement of expenses incurred due to additional manpower and equipment utilization,” according to the press release.
Check out this week’s edition of The Murray State News, on stands Thursday, for all the latest on the storm coverage.