May 31, 2007

KIOWA COUNTY/GREENSBURG
Public Information Update
Thursday, May 31, 2007 8:30 a.m.

HWY. 54 TO OPEN JUNE 4 The Kansas Department of Transportation will open Highway 54 to general traffic at noon on Monday, June 4. North and south turns from Highway 54 will be unavailable at Cherry, Spruce, Grove, Walnut, Sycamore, Oak, Cedar and Maple. All traffic laws will be enforced.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR WIRELESS CHARGES Alltel Wireless will work with Greensburg wireless customers to make special arrangements related to service overages or late fees following the tornado. Alltel customer service can be reached at 1-800-ALLTEL1.

PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE UNTIL JUNE 15 TO COMMIT TO DEBRIS REMOVAL FOR THEIR PROPERTY. After that date, the city will begin the process to evaluate the properties for possible demolition by the city. Properties would be assessed the costs associated with this removal.

A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER INSPECTION IS NEEDED for property owners who wish to rebuild a home or business. This is required before a building permit can be issued.

A TOWN HALL MEETING TO DISCUSS THE PLANNIGN PROCESS AND LONG-TERM RECOVERY EFFORTS in Greensburg will be held Thursday, June 7 at Davis Park. The Lions will provide a picnic dinner at 5 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the large red and white tent.

ELMO TO PERFORM AT FREE KIDS’ CARNIVAL Kevin Clash, the man who voices Elmo on “Sesame Street” will put on two 30-minute shows at 1:30 and 3 p.m. at the Haviland High School gymnasium on Saturday, June 2 as part of the KPTS Kiowa County Kids Carnival, an event for the children affected by the Greensburg tornado. The carnival is free and open to the public.

NEW HOUSING PROGRAM TO AID GREENSBURG RECONSTRUCTION Reconstruction assistance programs are available through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation - 785-296-5865 or www.kshousingcorp.org.

SEVERE WEATHER INCLUDING HEAVY RAIN AND HAIL IS PREDICTED for this afternoon into Friday. Severe weather shelters in Greensburg are located at the Carriage House assisted living facility, 723 S. Elm; at Kiowa Co. Memorial Hospital, 501 S. Walnut; at Kiowa Co. Courthouse, 211 E. Florida, and at the CO-OP grain elevator scalehouse at Ohio & Main. The Best Western hotel is NO LONGER a shelter.

WATER SERVICE REGAINED. Officials are continuing to test and turn on the water lines to areas of Greensburg. Contact City Hall at 620-723-2751 with questions about water restoration or to report water leaks.

WASHER/DRYER SERVICE IS AVAILABLE at Haviland Park under the water tower for public use.

EVERYONE INVOLVED IN DEBRIS CLEAN-UP IS ENCOURAGED TO WEAR PROPER CLOTHING AND RESPIRATORY PROTECTION.
Protect yourself with gloves, hard soled shoes or boots, and respiratory masks as necessary. If you have a cut or a scratch that does not heal normally, seek necessary medical attention.

HELP SPEED UP DEBRIS REMOVAL by placing it in the right of way. Keep debris at least three feet from utility poles, fire hydrants and water and gas meters. Call City Hall with debris removal questions at 620-723-2751. Debris removal will be ending soon, so residents are encouraged to take advantage of the free removal service.

C&D LANDFILL HOURS are 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

KDHE ISSUED A HAZARD DECLARATION FOR TORNADO DEBRIS. Residents are encouraged to take appropriate steps to remove tornado debris remaining on private properties which may present a health and safety risk to the public. Unstable structures and debris piles pose fire hazards and create a habitat for undesirable vermin. Currently, concrete rubble and foundations do not present an immediate hazard.

KDHE MAINTAINS LIST OF LICENSED ASBESTOS CONTRACTORS. Private contractors must be KDHE licensed to remove or demolish any suspected asbestos material. Contact Scott Bangert at 785-296-1689 with questions.

ALL CONTRACTORS MUST REGISTER at Greensburg City Hall between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Contract work is prohibited without registration and/or license. Contractors are responsible for hauling jobsite debris. Contractors removing debris or doing demolition from a jobsite must plug any sewer lines.

SEPARATE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WHITE GOODS (appliances, air conditioners, batteries, paint, pesticides, aerosol cans, propane and compressed gas cylinders) from debris and leave at the curb for EPA to remove. Place waste food items in trash bags and leave at the curb. Garbage trucks will remove this waste. Bags are available at the Lighthouse Worship Center, Scientology tent and Salvation Army at Dillon’s.

FREE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PICK UP FOR BUSINESSES. Businesses needing to dispose of tornado damaged hazardous materials can place them by the curb by Sunday, June 3 for EPA pickup.

CALL 911 IF YOU ENCOUNTER A HAZARDOUS SPILL OR LEAK. Never handle damaged or leaking containers. The EPA Spill Line is 913-281-0991.

FUEL AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC PURCHASE AT VOLZ OIL. The public can purchase fuel Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
KIOWA COUNTY OFFICES are located at the Mullinville High School. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. County commission meets at 9 a.m. on Mondays in the County Clerk’s office.

GREENSBURG CITY OFFICES are located on the square. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

CITY OF GREENSBURG ISSUING BUILDING PERMITS at City Hall during regular business hours.

FEMA HIRING FOR LOCAL POSITIONS. Residents and those who worked in Greensburg and have lost their jobs, are being considered for these positions. Call 770-216-3156 or 417-234-3798 or visit the Disaster Recovery Center at Barclay College.

STATE HIRING FOR CLEANUP POSITIONS.
The State Unemployment Group at the Disaster Recovery Center at Barclay College is hiring residents and workers who have lost their jobs to assist with cleanup.

GREENSURG RESIDENTS can view and inspect a FEMA travel trailer and manufactured home between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the west entrance to Davis Park. A FEMA specialist will be on hand to answer questions.

BUSINESS RESTORATION ASSISTANCE.
Business are eligible for benefits from a $5 million relief bill that includes a sales tax exemption for items and services purchased to construct, reconstruct, enlarge or remodel a business facility (including agricultural fencing) within Kiowa County.

AVAILABLE DISASTER ASSISTANCE:
· FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA or www.fema.gov or on the square.
· Red Cross at 1-866-GET INFO or your local chapter.
· Contact Kansas Representative Jerry Moran for assistance with the federal government at 620-665-6138.
· USDA Rural Development Housing at 785-628-3081 or 1-800-338-5546.
· Disaster Recovery Center at Barclay College or 620-862-7750. Center agencies are FEMA; Kansas Departments of Health and Environment, SRS and Labor; Veterans Administration; SBA and Salvation Army.
· SBA low interest loans at 1-800-659-2955 or on the square.
· Free, non-fee legal case assistance at 1-800-929-3111 and at Disaster Recovery Center at Barclay College.
· Farm field debris removal to register for help call 314-313-4779 or visit Davis Park Volunteer Reception Center.
· Disabled American Veterans at 316-688-6722.
· Mullinville and Haviland United Methodist Churches between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
· Mullinville Church of Christ at 620-548-2512.
· Mental health professionals at 785-313-6359.
· Claim lost firearms by calling the Kiowa County Sheriff’s Department at 620-723-2182.
· Report stray or dead animals or missing pets by calling 620-672-6777.
· Free child safety seats available from the Kiowa County Health Dept. - 620-723-2136, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mon. – Fri.
· File complaints against private insurance companies by calling the Kansas Insurance Commissioner at 1-800-432-2484.

PROGRESS REPORT:
· Volunteers have contributed 29,246 hours to date.
· EPA has collected 30,818 household hazardous waste items to date.
· Since the storm, workers have hauled 225,603 cubic yards of debris – that’s enough to fill 64 Olympic swimming pools or an 11 and ½ story building the size of the Greensburg Football Field.

FREE PHONE USE at the square for residents and responders provided by AT&T.

SAFETY UPDATE:
· Curfew in effect from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
· Obey all traffic laws.
· Treat ALL power lines as if they are live. Call 911 if you observe an arcing power line.
· Leave room for emergency and military vehicles when parking.
· Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. Seek immediate medical attention if you feel dizzy, nauseated or experience vomiting.
· Burning is prohibited in Greensburg. In rural areas, follow county ordinances. Burning is discouraged in high winds.
· Never enter any building that appears unsafe.
· Respiratory protection is recommended for all workers. Dust masks and safety glasses are available at the Kiowa County Health Department on the square. Over 2,000 dust masks have been provided to workers.
· Kansas Gas Service is testing natural gas lines. If you have concerns about gas odors, call 9-1-1.

VEHICLE REMOVAL. Vehicles in Greensburg that were towed to the south landfill should contact the Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office at 620-723-2182 with questions.

THOSE WISHING TO VOLUNTEER MUST CALL 211 (in state) or 1-888-413-4327 (out of state) prior to arrival. Ameri Corp is organizing groups wishing to volunteer. Group leaders must call 314-313-4779. Volunteers must dress appropriately for hazardous working conditions.

GREENSBURG FRAUD TASK FORCE. The Greensburg Fraud Task Force will investigate and prosecute any thefts of federal disaster relief funds. Call 1-800-KS-CRIME with tips.

GREENSBURG MAIL is forwarded to the Pratt Post Office where residents and businesses can register for a free post office box.